to encourage that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to encourage that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing support or motivation for a specific action or idea. Example: "We aim to encourage that all team members participate in the upcoming workshop to enhance their skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Computers seem to encourage that mindset.

Independent

"We don't want to encourage that behavior.

The New York Times

"We're not afraid to encourage that".

The New York Times

The surroundings certainly tended to encourage that perception.

The New York Times - Arts

We need to encourage that kind of investment.

The New York Times

I didn't want to do anything to encourage that language.

The Guardian

I think he should do something to encourage that".

The Guardian

Democrats are doing what they can to encourage that return.

The New York Times

And there's just no reason for us to encourage that".

The New York Times

"Paul has been as helpful as he can be to encourage that development," Beckord said.

The New Yorker

It is important not only to encourage that eccentricity - but to applaud it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to encourage that", ensure the context clearly defines what "that" refers to, maintaining clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to encourage that" when the preceding context doesn't explicitly define what "that" refers to. Always ensure the reference is clear to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to encourage that" serves as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. As shown in Ludwig, it connects an action with its intended outcome, offering a way to express motivation or support for a specific goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to encourage that" is a versatile phrase used to express the intention behind an action, aiming to foster a specific outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While it maintains a neutral register, ensuring the referent of "that" is clear is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives such as "to promote that" or "to foster that" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to foster that

Replaces "encourage" with "foster", implying a nurturing or developmental aspect.

to promote that

Substitutes "encourage" with "promote", suggesting active support and advocacy.

to facilitate that

Replaces "encourage" with "facilitate", focusing on making the action easier.

to support that

Substitutes "encourage" with "support", indicating backing or assistance.

to incentivize that

Changes "encourage" to "incentivize", highlighting the use of rewards or incentives.

to stimulate that

Replaces "encourage" with "stimulate", suggesting the act of prompting or arousing interest.

with the aim of that

Replaces the phrase with a purpose-driven clause, shifting the grammatical structure.

in order to achieve that

Expresses the same intent using "in order to", emphasizing the goal.

so as to achieve that

Similar to the previous alternative, but uses "so as to" for a slightly more formal tone.

to contribute to that

Shifts the focus to contributing to a specific outcome, rather than directly encouraging it.

FAQs

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

Use "to encourage that" to introduce a purpose or intention related to a previously mentioned action or idea. For example, "We are offering flexible work hours "to encourage that" productivity increases."

What phrases are similar to "to encourage that"?

Similar phrases include "to promote that", "to foster that", or "to support that", each carrying a slightly different nuance of motivation or support.

Is there a more formal alternative to "to encourage that"?

Yes, phrases like "in order to achieve that" or "so as to facilitate that" offer a more formal tone, suitable for academic or professional writing.

What common mistake should I avoid when using "to encourage that"?

Ensure that the "that" clearly refers to a specific, previously mentioned action or goal. Ambiguous references can confuse readers. Always provide clear context.