was encouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

"was encouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when talking about someone receiving encouragement from another person or situation. Example: She was encouraged by her professor to pursue a career in engineering.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mulvaney was encouraged.

The New Yorker

Rock collecting was encouraged.

The New York Times

· Audience participation was encouraged.

The New Yorker

Poaching was encouraged.

The New Yorker

Ellena was encouraged.

The New Yorker

In theory, openness was encouraged.

The Economist

But she was encouraged.

The New York Times

Lemelin was encouraged.

The New Yorker

Newman was encouraged.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Carter was encouraged.

The New York Times

The Kremlin was encouraged.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was encouraged", ensure that the sentence structure clearly indicates the recipient of the encouragement and the source, maintaining clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was encouraged" without clearly specifying who or what provided the encouragement. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and weaken the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was encouraged" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received encouragement. Ludwig confirms this usage, showcasing examples where individuals or entities received support or motivation. It highlights the reception of positive influence rather than the act of giving it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

43%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was encouraged" is a common and grammatically sound construction indicating that someone or something received support or motivation. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage across various contexts, including news, scientific articles, and general writing. Analysis reveals that it's most frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts. While typically neutral in register, careful attention should be paid to specifying the source of encouragement to avoid ambiguity. High-quality sources use the expression "was encouraged" consistently, making it a reliable phrase for expressing external influence and support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received encouragement

Focuses on the act of receiving, emphasizing the recipient's perspective rather than the action of encouraging.

felt supported

Highlights the feeling of being supported, emphasizing the emotional impact of the encouragement.

was motivated

Shifts the focus to the resulting motivation, rather than the act of encouragement itself.

was emboldened

Indicates a stronger sense of confidence and courage as a result of the encouragement.

was spurred on

Emphasizes the active pushing forward that resulted from the encouragement.

gained confidence

Highlights the increase in self-assurance directly resulting from the support.

found inspiration

Focuses on the discovery of inspiration as the outcome of encouragement.

was persuaded

Implies a degree of convincing or influence that led to the action.

was advised to

Indicates a formal recommendation or suggestion, rather than general encouragement.

had the backing of

Suggests formal or organizational support, rather than individual encouragement.

FAQs

How can I use "was encouraged" in a sentence?

"Was encouraged" indicates that someone received support or motivation. For instance, "She "was encouraged" by her mentor to apply for the promotion."

What's a synonym for "was encouraged"?

Alternatives include "felt supported", "was motivated", or "received encouragement", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "encourage"?

Both active and passive voices are valid. Active voice ("The teacher encouraged the student") emphasizes the encourager. Passive voice ("The student "was encouraged" by the teacher") emphasizes the recipient.

What's the difference between "was encouraged" and "was allowed"?

"Was encouraged" implies support and motivation, while "was allowed" simply means permission was granted. "Was encouraged" suggests a positive endorsement, whereas was allowed indicates a lack of restriction.