that might discourage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that might discourage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential negative effects or outcomes of a particular action or situation. Example: "The high cost of living in the city might discourage young professionals from moving here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Their records have a symmetry that might discourage Guardiola.

The New York Times - Sports

This can help smooth volatility and reduce some frustration that might discourage managers.

The New York Times

Anything that might discourage people from slugging down those drinks has to hurt the farmers.

The New York Times

But doctors are reluctant to say anything that might discourage breast-feeding.

The New York Times - Health

Provisions in the JOBS Act that might discourage investors, such as lighter requirements for financial data, are being ignored.

The Economist

But he also voiced a qualifier that might discourage the return of supporters of the armed opposition: "Unless some of them are involved in crimes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

You could call them bubble artists, because they are somehow protected within their own psychological spheres from influences that might otherwise discourage their improbable pursuits.

The New York Times - Arts

Such a spillover could also cause the current Iranian-Saudi proxy war over Syria to escalate into a more direct and dangerous confrontation that might ultimately discourage Iran from making the nuclear compromises that the United States so badly wants.

The New York Times

The pharmacy mails the drug to the patient and deals with the insurance companies, relieving the doctor of the reimbursement hassle that might otherwise discourage them from prescribing such an expensive drug.

The New York Times

The findings showed that minority sexual orientation predisposes individuals to seek out services, despite pervasive barriers that exist within the service delivery system that might even discourage their use by this population [ 74].

BMC Psychiatry

He also notes that it would be a "terrible irony" if the result of their travails was that it might "discourage people from traveling, when we've spent our lives encouraging people to see the world for themselves".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that might discourage", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific action or outcome is being discouraged. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "that might discourage" excessively, especially in situations where a more direct and assertive statement is appropriate. Overusing tentative language can weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that might discourage" functions as a qualifier, often introducing a subordinate clause that specifies a potential negative consequence or a factor that could deter an action or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that might discourage" is a versatile and commonly used qualifier that introduces potential deterrents or negative consequences. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, as per Ludwig AI, it serves to express caution and influence decisions by highlighting factors that could reduce motivation or prevent a desired outcome. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, this phrase is a valuable tool for nuanced communication across various registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could dissuade

Replaces "might discourage" with "could dissuade", indicating a potential to deter.

that may deter

Substitutes "might discourage" with "may deter", suggesting a possible preventive effect.

which could deter

Changes the structure to a relative clause, using "could deter" instead of "might discourage".

that has the potential to deter

Emphasizes the potential to deter, adding more formality to the expression.

that could put off

Uses the phrasal verb "put off" as a more informal alternative to "discourage".

that may disincline

Replaces "discourage" with the more formal "disincline", indicating a tendency to deter.

that might inhibit

Substitutes "discourage" with "inhibit", focusing on the restrictive aspect.

which may make reluctant

Changes the phrasing to focus on creating reluctance, rather than directly discouraging.

potentially discouraging

Uses the present participle form of "discouraging" to describe a potential effect.

that may dampen enthusiasm

Focuses on reducing enthusiasm as a way of discouraging action.

FAQs

How can I use "that might discourage" in a sentence?

You can use "that might discourage" to introduce a potential negative consequence. For example, "The complexity of the instructions "that might discourage" users from trying the new software".

What are some alternatives to "that might discourage"?

Alternatives include "that could deter", "that may dissuade", or "which could deter", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to use "that might discourage" or "that will discourage"?

"That might discourage" suggests a possibility, while "that will discourage" indicates a higher degree of certainty. Choose the phrasing that best reflects the likelihood of the outcome.

What's the difference between "discourage" and "deter" in the context of "that might discourage" vs "that might deter"?

"Discourage" implies reducing someone's enthusiasm or inclination, while "deter" suggests preventing action through fear or obstacles. "That might discourage" implies a softer approach than "that might deter".