encourage

Everyday

1. To encourage someone is to give them hope, confidence or support so they keep trying. tree →
2. To encourage something is to help it happen or grow. tree →

In the lessons

In school life teachers and friends encourage each other: «You can do it!», «Keep going!». In PE pupils cheer and encourage teammates. In science sunlight and water encourage plants to grow; good habits encourage health. Phrases: encourage someone to do something, encouraging words, words of encouragement.

Examples

• My teacher encouraged me to read more. tree →
• We cheered to encourage the runners. tree →
• Mum encourages me to try new food. tree →
• Warm weather encourages plants to grow. tree →
• Her kind words were very encouraging. tree →
• Encourage your friends when they find things hard. tree →
• The coach encouraged us to keep trying. tree →
• The young man, thus encouraged, began his tale. tree →

Note

Regular verb (encouraged). Pattern: «encourage someone to do something». Noun: encouragement. Opposite: discourage. Spelling: en-cour-age, like «courage» with «en» in front.

In Jewish tradition

God tells Moses to strengthen Joshua because he will lead Israel into the land in Moses' place.

Interpretation. Tradition sees this as the model of passing leadership on. Moses' last act is to help his successor.

Examples

• Joshua the son of Nun, who standeth before thee, he shall go in thither; encourage thou him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. (Torah DEU.1.38, JPS 1917) tree →
• But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.' (Torah DEU.3.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• We encourage the use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• In the day that I called, Thou didst answer me; Thou didst encourage me in my soul with strength. (Writings PSA.138.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD. (Writings 2CH.35.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• They encourage one another in an evil matter; they converse of laying snares secretly; they ask, who would see them. (Writings PSA.64.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb (encouraged). Pattern: «encourage someone to do something». Noun: encouragement. Opposite: discourage. Spelling: en-cour-age, like «courage» with «en» in front.