to encourage

USAGE SUMMARY

"to encourage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express the idea of offering encouragement, support, or incentive in order to motivate someone. For example, "We are offering additional bonuses to encourage employees to reach their sales goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Try to encourage her".

The New Yorker

DEVOLUTION seems to encourage environmentalism.

The Economist

I'm going to encourage that.

The New Yorker

To encourage a broader pushback?

The New York Times

Contests run to encourage business.

The New Yorker

You have to encourage speed.

The New York Times

That's what we need to encourage.

The New York Times

It was designed to encourage serendipitous encounters.

The New York Times

To encourage it is to glamorize gluttony.

The New York Times

That's something to encourage, not condemn.

The New York Times

The robot tried to encourage him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to encourage", consider the specific action or behavior you want to promote. Be clear about the intended outcome to ensure effective communication.

Common error

Don't use "to encourage" without specifying what you are encouraging. Instead of saying "We want to encourage innovation", be specific: "We want to encourage the development of sustainable technologies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to encourage" primarily functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or aim behind an action. As shown in Ludwig AI's examples, it is used to express the intention to motivate, support, or promote something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to encourage" is a versatile phrase used to express the intent to motivate, support, or promote a specific action or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and very common across various writing contexts. While it is generally neutral in register, the phrase's impact is heightened when used with a clear and specific goal, avoiding vague or undefined statements. Alternatives such as "to motivate", "to inspire", or "to promote" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to motivate

Focuses more on providing a reason or incentive for action.

to inspire

Suggests a more profound emotional or intellectual stimulus.

to incentivize

Implies providing a tangible reward or benefit.

to promote

Focuses on advancing or furthering a cause or idea.

to foster

Suggests creating a nurturing environment for growth.

to stimulate

Implies exciting or arousing interest or activity.

to embolden

Highlights giving someone the courage to do something.

to urge

Conveys a strong and insistent request or recommendation.

to prompt

Suggests initiating or triggering an action.

to impel

Implies a strong and often irresistible force driving action.

FAQs

How can I use "to encourage" in a sentence?

You can use "to encourage" to show support, motivation, or to recommend something. For instance, "The program aims "to motivate" students to pursue higher education" or "We "urge" the use of renewable energy sources.

What are some alternatives to "to encourage"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to motivate", "to inspire", "to promote", or "to foster".

Is it always necessary to specify what you are encouraging?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what you are encouraging makes your statement clearer and more impactful. Vague encouragement can be ineffective, so be specific about the desired action or behavior.

What's the difference between "to encourage" and "to allow"?

"To encourage" implies providing support or incentive for something to happen, while "to allow" simply means permitting something. For example, you might "encourage" healthy eating habits, but "allow" children to choose their snacks.