encourages

Encourages is the third-person singular present tense of the verb encourage. It denotes giving someone support, confidence, or hope, or stimulating progress, development, or action. In everyday use, to encourage someone is to help them feel capable of pursuing a goal or overcoming a challenge.

Grammatically, encourage is a transitive verb. Its forms include encourage (base), encourages (present), encouraged (past), and encouraging (present participle). Examples: “She encourages her students,” “The policy encourages recycling,” and “They are encouraging each other to try again.” The meaning can extend to institutions or circumstances that promote a behavior, such as opportunities that encourage participation.

Etymology traces encourage to Old French enco(u)ragier, from en- “in” + corage “courage,” with the broader sense of strengthening the heart or spirit. The modern English usage appeared in Middle English, expanding to include social and motivational senses beyond mere bravery.

Usage and nuance: Encouragement is a form of positive reinforcement that can bolster motivation, persistence, and well-being. It appears in education, sports, management, parenting, and civic life. Depending on tone and context, it can be genuine and constructive or perceived as patronizing if excessive or insincere. In cross-cultural settings, direct verbal encouragement may vary in form and emphasis, but the underlying aim remains to support action and confidence.

Examples: “Teachers encourage critical thinking,” “The coach encourages the team to take calculated risks,” “The announcement encourages community involvement.”