require encouragement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "require encouragement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the need for support or motivation in various contexts, such as personal development, education, or team dynamics. Example: "Many students require encouragement to stay motivated and engaged in their studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Polina didn't encourage him but he didn't require encouragement.

The New Yorker

Children like that don't require encouragement to take part in sport, they need lessons in perspective and humility.

The Guardian

They claim that horses whipped at the start of the race were unlikely to win, while horses whipped the least were most likely to win, though the report does not address the fact that horses travelling well are the least likely to require "encouragement".

The Guardian - Sport

Environmental self-auditing is said to deserve and require encouragement.

Duke University

Our pilot study demonstrated that health care aides require encouragement at regular intervals to consistently integrate the sit-to-stand activity into their daily routine.

BMC Geriatrics

However, they also noted that patients could be reluctant to take action and could require encouragement to enact their planned goals.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Innovation requires encouragement, collaboration, and communication, but it typically implies clear steps that must be taken it's the start of something great.

Forbes

The involvement of the private sector in higher education provision was a result of the government's realization that public private partnership in education provision is '… necessary and a matter that requires encouragement' (United Republic of Tanzania 2010: 17).

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

It's about building new habits, which requires encouragement and patience, not bursts of self-loathing.

Huffington Post

Overall, some practices pertinent to delirium prevention (assistance with meals for those who needed help with feeding but not for those who required encouragement) were carried out more or less consistently for some patients across all sites.

BMC Health Services Research

"If managed appropriately, these programs can bestow significant benefits on the host countries," IMF expert Judith Gold wrote in an email, before cautiously hedging that "we do not advocate or encourage these programs". Leaders of small island states seem unlikely to require much encouragement.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing strategies for boosting team performance, use "require encouragement" to underscore the importance of providing ongoing support, particularly for tasks that are challenging or require sustained effort.

Common error

While "require encouragement" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in overly formal or academic writing. In such contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "benefit from support" or "need motivation" to convey a more nuanced meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "require encouragement" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating a need for external motivation or support. Ludwig AI examples show its use in contexts ranging from personal interactions to professional settings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "require encouragement" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote the need for external motivation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it appears across various domains, including science, news, and business, with a generally neutral register. While alternatives such as "need motivation" or "benefit from support" may be more appropriate in certain contexts, "require encouragement" serves as a clear and acceptable way to express the necessity of support. Remember to consider your audience and the overall tone when deciding whether to use this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

need motivation

Focuses on the internal drive needed, rather than external urging.

benefit from support

Highlights the positive impact of assistance, framing it as advantageous.

thrive with assistance

Emphasizes growth and flourishing due to help received.

respond well to incentives

Shifts the focus to the effectiveness of rewards in eliciting desired behavior.

flourish with guidance

Stresses the role of direction and advice in promoting success.

need a boost

Uses a more informal term for a temporary push or support.

do better with prompting

Suggests that performance improves when given reminders or cues.

need a nudge

Implies a gentle push or reminder is necessary.

excel with moral support

Focuses on the emotional aspect of assistance.

demand positive reinforcement

Highlights the necessity of positive feedback.

FAQs

How can I use "require encouragement" in a sentence?

You can use "require encouragement" to describe situations where someone needs support or motivation to take action or achieve a goal. For example, "Students may "need encouragement" to participate actively in class."

What are some alternatives to "require encouragement"?

Some alternatives include "benefit from support", "need motivation", or "thrive with assistance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "require encouragement" or "need encouragement"?

Both "require encouragement" and "need encouragement" are grammatically correct, but "need encouragement" is more common in everyday conversation. "Require encouragement" can sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "require encouragement" and "provide encouragement"?

"Require encouragement" describes the state of needing motivation or support, while "provide encouragement" describes the action of giving that motivation or support to someone else.