ENGLISH
REFERENCE

encourage

v.
US //ɛnˈkɝɪdʒ// UK //ɛnkˈʌɹɪdʒ// en·cour·age
  1. 1 to give confidence (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to give someone hope or confidence so they feel they can succeed.

    to provide someone with the courage, spirit, or confidence necessary to pursue a goal.

    Example

    My parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams, even when things were difficult.

    Example

    The mentor's positive feedback encouraged the young researcher to persevere with her experiments despite the initial setbacks.

    Usage

    Takes a direct object followed by a 'to-infinitive' clause.
    Pitfall
    My teacher encouraged me for studying harder.
    My teacher encouraged me to study harder.

    The verb 'encourage' is followed by an object and a 'to-infinitive', not the preposition 'for'.

  2. 2 to recommend or spur on (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to suggest that someone should do something because it is a good idea.

    to strongly recommend a specific course of action or to spur someone toward a decision.

    Example

    The doctor encouraged him to eat more vegetables and exercise every day.

    Example

    The government is encouraging citizens to switch to electric vehicles by offering significant tax incentives and subsidies.
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  1. 3 to foster or help grow (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to help something happen or develop.

    to promote, foster, or stimulate the development and growth of a process or activity.

    Example

    The new laws were designed to encourage investment in small businesses.

    Example

    Warm weather and high humidity encourage the growth of various types of fungi in the forest.
Origin

From Middle English encouragen, encoragen, from Anglo-Norman encoragier, from Old French encoragier. Displaced native Old English hiertan, tyhtan, and trymman. By surface analysis, en- + courage.

Word family

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