it was encouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was encouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was supported or promoted in the past. Example: "During the meeting, it was encouraged that all team members share their ideas openly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So despite a tough trading environment - for all the usual reasons - the company said it was encouraged by its first half performance.

The Guardian - Business

Instead of trying to restore its competitiveness through a devaluation, it was encouraged to keep the peg in place and to impose stringent spending cuts and tax rises.

The Guardian - Business

Despite revising down its forecasts, the IMF said it was encouraged by the improvement in financial market conditions and believed that the global economy was on the mend.

The Guardian

Though it hasn't committed to a roll out beyond its test, the company admitted it was encouraged with the initial results.

Forbes

On Monday, General Growth reported its fourth-quarter financial results, saying it was "encouraged" by improving retail trends in the second half of 2009.

Forbes

The world's biggest retailer said it was encouraged by early buying for its back-to-school and back-to-college businesses.

Forbes

Cablevision, in its statement, called the lawsuit "entirely without merit," and said it was encouraged that one count was dismissed.

The New York Times - Sports

The company said it was encouraged that it had already sold 29% of its winter 2014-15 holidays, with average prices higher than last year.

The Guardian - Business

However, comparison site uSwitch.com said it was encouraged by the figures, adding that traffic to its current account pages had almost doubled over the same period.

The Guardian - Money

It was encouraged.

The Washington Post

So it was encouraged.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was encouraged", ensure the subject doing the encouraging is clear to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, specify who or what organization encouraged the action.

Common error

Avoid using "it was encouraged" without specifying who did the encouraging. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement. Instead of "it was encouraged", consider "the team encouraged..." or "management encouraged..." to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was encouraged" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action or behavior received support or approval. Ludwig AI shows that this construction is frequently used in news and business contexts to report on organizational decisions and societal trends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was encouraged" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to indicate support or promotion of an action or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in news and business contexts, often in a neutral or professional register. While grammatically correct, clarity is key: specifying who did the encouraging enhances the impact and avoids ambiguity. Alternatives such as "it was promoted" or "it was supported" offer subtle variations in meaning. When writing, prioritize clarity by explicitly stating the source of encouragement to avoid passive voice ambiguity and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was promoted

Focuses on the active promotion or advertising of something.

it was supported

Emphasizes backing or approval for something.

it was endorsed

Implies formal approval or recommendation.

it was advocated

Highlights active support and promotion, often in a public forum.

it was fostered

Suggests nurturing and development over time.

it was stimulated

Focuses on initiating or boosting activity.

it was facilitated

Indicates making something easier or more likely to happen.

it was recommended

Implies advising or suggesting something.

it was suggested

Offers a milder form of recommendation.

it was permitted

Highlights that something was allowed or authorized.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was encouraged" to indicate that something was supported or promoted. For example, "During the meeting, "it was encouraged" that all team members share their ideas openly."

What's a more formal alternative to "it was encouraged"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "it was endorsed" or "it was advocated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "encourage"?

While "it was encouraged" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "the company encouraged...") can often make your writing more direct and impactful. Consider the context and desired emphasis when choosing between active and passive voice.

What is the difference between "it was encouraged" and "it was allowed"?

"It was allowed" simply means something was permitted. "It was encouraged" implies that there was some degree of support or promotion for the action, going beyond mere permission.