English

encourage

ɪnˈkʌɹɪdʒ, ɪnˈkɝɹɪdʒ, ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ, ɪnˈkɝː.ɪdʒ
Meaning: to give support, confidence, or hope to someone
Part of Speech: Verb Alternative Readings: ɪnˈkɝɹɪdʒ, ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ, ɪnˈkɝː.ɪdʒ

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Verb inflections

Form Inflected form
Base encourage
3rd person singular present encourages
Present participle encouraging
Past encouraged
Will future will encourage
Going-to future going to encourage
Imperative negative don't encourage / do not encourage

Example sentences

My parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams.
My parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams.
The central bank decided to lower interest rates to encourage economic growth.
The central bank decided to lower interest rates to encourage economic growth.
Her teacher's encouraging words inspired her to pursue a career in art.
Her teacher's encouraging words inspired her to pursue a career in art.
The government offered a subsidy to encourage green energy.
The government offered a subsidy to encourage green energy.
The government decided to subsidize public transportation to encourage more people to use it.
The government decided to subsidize public transportation to encourage more people to use it.

Usage Notes

Commonly used with an object and an infinitive (encourage someone to do something). It can also mean to stimulate or foster an activity.

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