encourage
verb/ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ/
/ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒ/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they encourage | /ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ/ /ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒ/ |
| he / she / it encourages | /ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒɪz/ /ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒɪz/ |
| past simple encouraged | /ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒd/ /ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒd/ |
| past participle encouraged | /ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒd/ /ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒd/ |
| -ing form encouraging | /ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒɪŋ/ /ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒɪŋ/ |
- to give somebody support, courage or hope
- encourage somebody We were greatly encouraged by the positive response of the public.
- She encouraged many young writers and artists.
- encourage somebody in something My parents have always encouraged me in my choice of career.
- + speech ‘You're doing fine,’ he encouraged them.
Extra Examples- She especially encouraged young scientists.
- We were greatly encouraged by the support we received.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- greatly
- highly
- strongly
- …
- aim to
- try to
- want to
- …
- in
- an attempt to encourage something
- an effort to encourage something
Definitions on the go
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- to persuade somebody to do something by making it easier for them and making them believe it is a good thing to do
- encourage somebody to do something Banks actively encouraged people to borrow money.
- I strongly encourage everyone to go and see this important film.
- encourage (doing) something Speaking your mind is highly encouraged at these sessions.
Extra ExamplesTopics Discussion and agreementb1- The aim of the campaign is to encourage youngsters to become involved in grassroots sport.
- The new measures are designed to encourage more people to cycle.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- greatly
- highly
- strongly
- …
- aim to
- try to
- want to
- …
- in
- an attempt to encourage something
- an effort to encourage something
- to make something more likely to happen or develop
- encourage something There is a clear case for spending public money on encouraging participation in sport.
- to encourage development/investment/growth
- The government should encourage the use of renewable energy sources.
- encourage something in somebody/something They claim that some computer games encourage violent behaviour in young children.
- encourage somebody to do something Music and lighting are used to encourage shoppers to buy more.
Extra Examples- The government must actively encourage investment in these areas.
- We want a company culture that welcomes ideas and encourages innovation.
- These questions are designed to encourage debate.
- Do toy guns encourage aggression?
- Programmes like this just encourage stereotyping.
- The treaty is aimed at encouraging cooperation between Member States.
- We're looking at ways to encourage recycling.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- greatly
- highly
- strongly
- …
- aim to
- try to
- want to
- …
- in
- an attempt to encourage something
- an effort to encourage something
opposite discourage
Word OriginMiddle English (formerly also as incourage): from French encourager, from en- ‘in’ + corage ‘courage’.
Check pronunciation:
encourage