is encouraging

USAGE SUMMARY

'is encouraging' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a positive action that someone else is doing. Example: He is encouraging his friend to pursue her dreams.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is encouraging.

The New York Times

Surely this is encouraging.

The New Yorker

But it is encouraging.

The Economist

That is encouraging.

The New York Times

Past experience is encouraging.

The Economist

And that is encouraging.

The Economist

The differentiation is encouraging.

The Economist

The acceleration itself is encouraging.

The Economist

"Again, it is encouraging".

The New York Times

But Garry is encouraging.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Little here is encouraging.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is encouraging", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being encouraged. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is encouraging" with overly broad subjects. Instead of saying "The situation is encouraging", specify what aspects of the situation are positive: "The recovery rate is encouraging."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is encouraging" functions as a present participle construction, describing a subject that provides motivation, hope, or support. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "is encouraging" describes ongoing positive developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is encouraging" is a versatile phrase used to express optimism and highlight positive developments. Ludwig AI confirms it functions as a present participle construction, frequently appearing in News & Media and Science contexts, signaling hope and motivating further action. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's essential to ensure the context is clear and the subject is specific to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "looks promising" or "shows promise" can offer nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis. Avoiding overuse with overly broad subjects enhances clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looks promising

Replaces "is encouraging" with a more visually suggestive expression.

shows promise

Emphasizes the potential of something to develop positively.

is a good sign

Indicates that something is a positive indicator of future success.

gives hope

Highlights the aspect of inspiring hope or optimism.

is heartening

Uses a more emotional term to describe the positive impact.

is optimistic

Shifts the focus to a general feeling of optimism about a situation.

inspires confidence

Focuses on the ability to build trust and assurance.

is a positive development

Formalizes the expression to focus on progress.

is welcome

Highlights the positive reception or acceptance of something.

is cause for optimism

Suggests the situation warrants a hopeful outlook.

FAQs

How can I use "is encouraging" in a sentence?

Use "is encouraging" to describe a situation, action, or piece of news that gives hope or indicates a positive trend. For example, "The latest job report "is encouraging"."

What are some alternatives to saying "is encouraging"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "looks promising", "shows promise", or "gives hope" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "is encouraging" or "are encouraging"?

"Is encouraging" is used with singular nouns or uncountable nouns, while "are encouraging" is used with plural nouns. For example, "The trend is encouraging" versus "The results are encouraging."

What's the difference between "is encouraging" and "is promising"?

Both phrases suggest a positive outlook, but "is encouraging" implies a boost of morale or confidence, while "is promising" suggests a high likelihood of success or a favorable outcome.