very much encouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very much encouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong support or approval for a particular action or behavior. Example: "Students are very much encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to enhance their learning experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Handling is very much encouraged.

The New York Times

I've been very much encouraged by all the coverage that inequality scholarship is getting in the press these days.

Cornell University

Williams, coming back from a strained muscle in his right side, eventually took batting practice and is "very much encouraged".

The New York Times - Sports

There's always a tendency (one that's very much encouraged by the supermarkets) to revert to the classics at Christmas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We were very much encouraged by the judge's decision," said Phillip A. Wittman, who presented arguments for the tobacco companies with Mr. Bell.

The New York Times

Absolutely nothing wrong with that, but we were being very much encouraged to believe in the realism of the spy sections.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"I would very much encourage comment," Ms. Relland said.

The New York Times

"He's a very open man, and he very much encourages individual artistry".

The New York Times - Arts

Rabbi Hirschhorn very much encourages tolerance with residents who no longer behave as they once did.

The New York Times

He very much encourages the artists that he surrounds himself with to take chances.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I very much encourage women not to do that," she says drolly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very much encouraged" when you want to express strong support for an action, idea, or behavior, especially in professional or formal contexts. For a more informal tone, consider using alternatives like "strongly supported" or "highly recommended".

Common error

Avoid using "very much encouraged" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "really liked" or "thought it was great" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very much encouraged" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that someone or something is strongly supported or approved. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very much encouraged" is a versatile expression used to convey strong support or approval. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, making it suitable for professional and academic writing. While "very much encouraged" is widely accepted, writers should be mindful of its formal tone and consider using alternatives like "strongly supported" or "highly recommended" in more casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly supported

Replaces "encouraged" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the level of support.

highly recommended

Suggests endorsement based on merit or quality.

firmly advocated

Indicates active and public support for something.

heartily endorsed

Emphasizes enthusiastic and genuine agreement.

keenly promoted

Highlights active efforts to advance or popularize something.

greatly favored

Expresses a preference or approval of something.

warmly received

Indicates a positive reaction or acceptance.

embraced wholeheartedly

Shows complete and enthusiastic acceptance.

given full backing

Indicates complete support and resources.

met with approval

Suggests that something has been viewed favorably.

FAQs

How can I use "very much encouraged" in a sentence?

You can use "very much encouraged" to express strong support or approval. For example, "Students are "very much encouraged" to participate in extracurricular activities."

What are some alternatives to "very much encouraged"?

Alternatives include "strongly supported", "highly recommended", or "heartily endorsed", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "very much encouraged" and "encouraged"?

Yes, "very much encouraged" intensifies the level of support or approval compared to simply "encouraged". It indicates a stronger degree of endorsement.

When is it appropriate to use "very much encouraged"?

It's appropriate in formal and professional settings where you want to clearly convey strong support for a particular action or idea. In more informal settings, consider using less formal alternatives.