it was discouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was discouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was not recommended or advised against in a particular context. Example: "In our previous meetings, it was discouraged to discuss personal matters during work hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If it was discouraged, you wouldn't see it.

The Guardian - Music

A spokesman for the casino said that there was no specific rule against voucher-gathering, but that it was discouraged.

The New York Times

It was discouraged in the years after the Islamic revolution in Iran, but the ruling mullahs never succeeded in purging it from the culture, and now it signifies the start of a two-week holiday period.

The New York Times

The system of shaving the heads of widows was infrequent as epigraphs note that widows were allowed to grow their hair but decorating it was discouraged.

Wikipedia

Gateshead Council subsequently considered other sites for a second park, but it was discouraged by the high prices being asked by the estate owners at Redheugh and Shipcote.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It was discouraging to read down the table and see that every division was below expectations".

The New York Times

"It was discouraging because last year it wasn't necessarily the best guys playing," O'Hanlon said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was discouraging because we were hearing from Michelle that we were solid candidates in terms of our finances".

The New York Times

So it was discouraging to see him write about how the United States needs to regain control of its southern border.

The New York Times

So it was discouraging to return to reality and watch workmen carrying construction material yesterday into the Tweed Courthouse.

The New York Times

It was discouraging when many people seemed ready to believe it, but had doubts.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was discouraged", clearly state who or what did the discouraging. This provides context and avoids ambiguity. For example, "In our company, it was discouraged to discuss salaries openly."

Common error

Avoid using "it was discouraged" without specifying the actor. Vague sentences like "It was discouraged" leave the reader wondering who did the discouraging and why.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was discouraged" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action or behavior received disapproval or was not recommended. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was discouraged" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to express that something was not recommended or was actively dissuaded. Ludwig AI confirms it's usable. While relatively infrequent, it appears most commonly in news, wiki articles and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure you clarify who or what was doing the discouraging to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "it was not recommended" or "it was advised against" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was not recommended

Replaces "discouraged" with a direct synonym, focusing on a lack of recommendation.

it was advised against

Emphasizes the element of advice or guidance to avoid a certain action.

it was frowned upon

Indicates disapproval rather than outright prevention, suggesting a social or cultural aversion.

it was dissuaded

Highlights the act of persuading someone not to do something.

it was disfavored

Suggests a lack of preference or support, implying a weaker form of discouragement.

it was not allowed

Signifies a formal prohibition, indicating that something was officially disallowed.

it was prevented

Focuses on the act of stopping something from happening, often implying a proactive intervention.

it was hindered

Implies that obstacles were put in place to make something difficult or impossible.

it was suppressed

Indicates that something was actively kept from being expressed or known.

it was checked

Highlights that something was kept under control or restrained.

FAQs

What does "it was discouraged" mean?

The phrase "it was discouraged" means that something was not recommended or advised against. It suggests that there was some form of disapproval or an attempt to prevent a particular action or behavior.

How can I use "it was discouraged" in a sentence?

You can use "it was discouraged" to indicate that something was not allowed or favored in a specific context. For example, "In our previous meetings, "it was discouraged" to discuss personal matters during work hours."

What can I say instead of "it was discouraged"?

You can use alternatives like "it was not recommended", "it was frowned upon", or "it was advised against" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "it was discouraged" and "it was prohibited"?

"It was discouraged" suggests disapproval or a lack of recommendation, while "it was prohibited" indicates a formal ban or legal restriction. "It was prohibited" is a stronger and more definitive statement than ""it was discouraged"".