we discourage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we discourage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising against a certain action or behavior in a formal or informal context. Example: "In our organization, we discourage the use of personal devices during meetings to maintain focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So we discourage ducks".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In fact, we discourage it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We discourage spamming and bullying, of course.

The New York Times

We discourage internships in Europe during August.

Princeton University

D.K. Yes, but we discourage sloppy eaters.

The New York Times

Yet from the moment students enter academia, we discourage it.

The Guardian

We discourage students from taking on additional responsibilities while participating in the program.

University of California, Berkeley

We discourage mailed letters of recommendation as this delays the processing of your application.

Cornell University

So should we discourage naps in preschool children – even if they really seem to need one?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We discourage repetition, yet we include redundancies in our every day speech.

The New York Times

"We're against kidney sales, we discourage them," says Daryush Arman, its deputy head.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal contexts, provide a clear rationale following "we discourage" to justify the recommendation. Explaining why the action is discouraged enhances understanding and acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "we discourage" repeatedly without providing specific reasons. Overuse without explanation can sound arbitrary or condescending, diminishing its effectiveness and potentially alienating your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we discourage" primarily functions as a directive utterance. It serves to advise against a particular action or behavior, often implying a preferred alternative. This is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, where the phrase is used in various contexts ranging from academia to lifestyle and news.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we discourage" is a versatile and frequently used expression to advise against certain behaviors or actions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is correct, and it finds common application across diverse domains like news, academia, and science. While offering a gentle recommendation, context and audience are key considerations when choosing it in place of alternative phrasings, such as "we advise against" or "we recommend against". To ensure effective communication, justify the recommendation to avoid sounding condescending or arbitrary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we advise against

Replaces "discourage" with a more direct term, "advise against", suggesting a stronger recommendation.

we recommend against

Similar to "advise against", but emphasizes a recommendation against a certain action.

we caution against

Highlights potential dangers or negative consequences, making the warning more explicit.

we dissuade from

Focuses on persuading someone not to do something, rather than simply advising against it.

we deter from

Emphasizes preventing action through fear of consequences, implying a stronger deterrent.

we urge against

Adds a sense of urgency or importance to the recommendation against something.

we do not encourage

A more neutral way of expressing disapproval, avoiding strong negative connotations.

we disfavor

A more formal way of saying that something is not preferred or approved.

we are against

A more direct statement of opposition, implying a stronger stance than "discourage".

we look unfavorably on

Expresses disapproval in a more subtle and nuanced way.

FAQs

How can I use "we discourage" in a sentence?

You can use "we discourage" to advise against a particular action or behavior. For example, "We discourage the use of personal devices during meetings" or "We discourage students from taking on additional responsibilities."

What can I say instead of "we discourage"?

You can use alternatives like "we advise against", "we recommend against", or "we do not encourage" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we discourage" or "we prohibit"?

"We discourage" is a milder suggestion against something, while "we prohibit" is a strict ban. The choice depends on the severity and context. Use "we discourage" when suggesting an alternative and "we prohibit" when enforcing a rule.

What is the difference between "we discourage" and "we advise against"?

Both phrases suggest avoiding something, but "we advise against" often implies a more informed recommendation based on expertise or experience. "We discourage" can be a general suggestion based on common sense or policy.