encourage

encourage — 動詞

1. to create favourable surroundings that allow a particular activity, feeling, or

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

促進；助長

促使事物發展或發生

to create favourable surroundings that allow a particular activity, feeling, or process to grow and flourish

例句

Warmth and moisture encourage the seeds to sprout within days.

溫暖和濕氣促使種子在幾天內發芽。

encourage + object + to-infinitive (natural process)

The new law encourages companies to reduce their carbon emissions.

這項新法鼓勵企業減少碳排放。

encourage + object + to-infinitive (policy context)

同義詞
  • foster

    suggests deliberate, patient nurturing over time; more formal

  • promote

    focuses on actively advancing something; often used in business or policy contexts

  • stimulate

    implies sparking activity or development; often used for economic or biological processes

反義詞
  • discourage

    to make something less likely to happen

  • hinder

    to create obstacles that slow or stop development

  • inhibit

    to restrain or prevent a process from occurring

文法句型

encourage + noun phrase

encourage + object + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Often used in passive constructions (e.g., 'is encouraged by'). The subject is typically a condition, policy, or environment rather than a person.

常見錯誤

❌The coach encouraged the athlete to grow taller.
✅The coach encouraged the athlete to grow stronger.
💡When referring to people, this sense applies to skills or qualities, not physical growth.

2. to say or do things that give someone the confidence or hope they need to pursue

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

鼓勵；打氣

給予信心或勇氣

to say or do things that give someone the confidence or hope they need to pursue something they might otherwise be hesitant about

例句

Takeshi encouraged his sister before her job interview by praising her strengths.

Takeshi 在妹妹工作面試前鼓勵她，肯定她的優點。

encourage + object + by + gerund (manner of support)

Kwame's coach always encourages the team after a disappointing loss.

Kwame 的教練總是在球隊慘敗後為他們打氣。

同義詞
  • hearten

    emphasises lifting spirits when someone feels discouraged; slightly formal

  • reassure

    focuses on removing doubt or worry rather than building courage

  • cheer on

    informal; describes vocal support during a performance or competition

  • inspire

    stronger effect — makes someone feel excited and motivated to do something ambitious

反義詞
  • discourage

    to make someone lose confidence or hope

  • demoralize

    to destroy someone's spirit or confidence completely

  • dishearten

    to cause someone to lose determination or hope

文法句型

encourage + object + to-infinitive

encourage + object + in + noun phrase

encourage + object + by + gerund

用法筆記

The direct object is always a person or group. Commonly followed by a to-infinitive clause or a prepositional phrase with 'in' (e.g., 'encouraged her in her studies').

常見錯誤

❌The doctor encouraged him to quit smoking.' (when the doctor was persuading, not supporting)
✅The doctor encouraged him to quit smoking by explaining the health benefits.
💡The line between support and persuasion is blurry; context determines which sense is active.

3. to try to convince someone to take a particular action, especially by pointing o

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

勸說；促使

透過勸說促使對方行動

to try to convince someone to take a particular action, especially by pointing out benefits, offering help, or reducing obstacles

例句

The travel agent encouraged us to book early to secure the best rate.

旅行社人員勸我們早點訂票，以確保最優惠的價格。

encourage + object + to-infinitive (persuasion with incentive)

Emre's manager encouraged the sales team to call more potential clients.

Emre 的主管鼓勵業務團隊多聯絡潛在客戶。

同義詞
  • urge

    stronger and more insistent than encourage; implies pressing someone

  • persuade

    focuses on successfully convincing someone through reasoning

  • prompt

    suggests a small push or reminder to get someone started

  • push

    informal; can imply slight pressure or even annoyance

反義詞
  • discourage from

    to try to persuade someone not to do something

  • dissuade

    formal; to convince someone not to take a particular course of action

文法句型

encourage + object + to-infinitive

encourage + object + into + noun phrase/gerund

用法筆記

Frequently implies a reasoned or gentle appeal rather than strong pressure. Unlike 'force' or 'make', the subject cannot compel the action — the decision remains with the other person.

常見錯誤

❌He encouraged her to come to the party' (when he was just being polite about an open invitation).
✅He encouraged her to come to the party by offering to pick her up.
💡Sense 3 requires active persuasion, not a casual invitation.