try to encourage

USAGE SUMMARY

"try to encourage" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express someone's attempt to motivate or inspire others to do something. Example: The teacher always tries to encourage her students to participate in class discussions by asking thought-provoking questions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Try to encourage her".

The New Yorker

We always try to encourage one another.

The New York Times

Colleges try to encourage empathy with others.

The Guardian

He said he would just try to encourage his linemen.

The New York Times - Sports

We try to encourage them all to do that.

Independent

"They try to encourage people to be police officers".

The New York Times

I try to encourage Milo the same way".

The New York Times

We should nurture it and try to encourage it".

The Guardian

Today they also conduct research and try to encourage regional developments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Don't try to encourage Berkeley values in Alabama, or vice versa.

The New York Times

We try to encourage a sense of skepticism about all authorities".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try to encourage", be specific about the action or behavior you are encouraging. Clear communication prevents ambiguity and increases the likelihood of success.

Common error

Avoid using "try to encourage" without a clear purpose or direction. Generic encouragement can be ineffective. Specify what you want to encourage and why it matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to encourage" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It describes the act of attempting to motivate or inspire someone, highlighting the effort involved. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

12%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to encourage" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey an attempt to motivate or inspire someone. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's found frequently in news, media, scientific and formal business contexts. While the phrase itself is straightforward, effective usage involves specifying the action or behavior being encouraged to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "attempt to motivate" or "seek to inspire" can be used to add nuance to the meaning. Remember that "try to encourage" expresses an intention, implying that the outcome is not guaranteed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to motivate

Replaces "encourage" with "motivate", focusing on the act of providing a reason to act.

seek to inspire

Shifts the focus to "inspire", suggesting a more profound and emotional effect.

aim to stimulate

Uses "stimulate", implying an effort to activate interest or activity.

strive to incentivize

Emphasizes providing an incentive, a reward for a specific behavior.

endeavor to persuade

Focuses on convincing someone, using reason or argument.

make an effort to uplift

Centers on improving someone's mood or spirits.

try to galvanize

Replaces "encourage" with "galvanize", emphasizing stimulating action.

work to embolden

Highlights the effort to make someone braver or more confident.

seek to empower

Focuses on giving someone power or control over their own life or situation.

try to foster

Replaces "encourage" with "foster", focusing on promoting the development of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to encourage" to express an attempt to motivate someone. For example, "I try to encourage my students to participate in class discussions."

What are some alternatives to "try to encourage"?

Alternatives include "attempt to motivate", "seek to inspire", or "aim to stimulate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "try to encourage" and "encourage"?

"Try to encourage" implies an attempt or effort to encourage, while "encourage" suggests a more direct or successful act of motivation. "I try to encourage him" suggests the outcome is uncertain.

When is it appropriate to use "try to encourage" in writing?

It's suitable when you want to express an effort to motivate or inspire someone, especially when the outcome is not guaranteed or when describing a process.