strongly discourage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strongly discourage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising against a particular action or behavior with a firm emphasis. Example: "We strongly discourage any form of cheating in our academic programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We strongly discourage this – it is illegal to operate without registration".

The Guardian

I strongly discourage, if you're wearing mascara, going back to listen to Victoria Wood's choices.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He said the paper "strongly discourage our journalists from putting themselves in harm's way".

The New York Times

Secular regimes that govern mainly Muslim populations often ban or strongly discourage beards.

The Economist

My economist's reaction is that a stiff license fee would strongly discourage coal use anyway.

The New York Times - Magazine

We strongly discourage lengthy e-mail threads with everyone weighing in.

The New York Times

High schools strongly discourage students who have been admitted by a college under early decision from making other applications.

The New York Times

We strongly discourage this in today's connected world because of the constant risk of internet threats," said Myerson.

The Guardian - Tech

"I think the Republican national chairman ought to step in and say we strongly discourage every candidate from appearing".

The New York Times

We should strongly discourage the reconstruction of destroyed or badly damaged beachfront homes in New Jersey and New York.

The New York Times

Child protection specialists strongly discourage orphanage volunteering – in some countries it is thought to encourage corruption, family separation, and the institutionalisation of children.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strongly discourage", ensure that the context clearly explains why the action is being discouraged. Providing reasons enhances the impact and persuasiveness of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "strongly discourage" without providing adequate justification. Simply stating the phrase without explaining why the action is undesirable can weaken its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strongly discourage" functions as a directive, advising against a specific action with a firm emphasis. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to express significant disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strongly discourage" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to advise against a specific action with significant emphasis. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile enough to be used across a broad spectrum of contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. However, its effectiveness relies on clearly justifying why the action is being discouraged. When considering alternatives, phrases like "firmly advise against" or "strongly advise against" offer comparable levels of emphasis while slightly altering the tone. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can leverage the power of "strongly discourage" to communicate your recommendations effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly advise against

Just a change of word, it keeps the focus on offering advice but with a forceful tone.

highly recommend against

Highlights the recommendation aspect with a high degree of negativity.

firmly advise against

Emphasizes the advisory aspect with a strong recommendation not to do something.

strongly caution against

Highlights the warning aspect but more firmly and seriously

seriously caution against

Focuses on the warning aspect, highlighting potential negative consequences.

warn emphatically against

Emphasizes a strong warning with added emotion or forcefulness.

express strong disapproval

Focuses on the expression of negative sentiment towards an action or behavior.

vehemently oppose

Indicates a forceful and passionate disagreement or resistance.

strenuously object to

Indicates a forceful objection, implying significant effort or energy in opposing.

stiffly deter

A more formal and perhaps less common way of expressing a strong deterrent.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "strongly discourage"?

You can use alternatives like "firmly advise against", "strongly advise against", or "express strong disapproval" depending on the context.

How do I use "strongly discourage" in a sentence?

Use "strongly discourage" to express a firm recommendation against a particular action. For example, "We strongly discourage any form of cheating" or "Medical guidelines strongly discourage its use in young women".

When is it appropriate to use "strongly discourage"?

It's appropriate to use "strongly discourage" when you want to express a serious level of disapproval and advise against a specific behavior or action, typically due to potential negative consequences or risks.

What's the difference between "strongly discourage" and "discourage"?

"Discourage" suggests a general disapproval, while "strongly discourage" emphasizes a higher degree of disapproval and a more forceful recommendation against something.