{
    "term": "encourage",
    "partOfSpeech": "verb",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "b1",
    "verbForms": {
        "presentSimple": {
            "iYouWeThey": "encourage",
            "heSheIt": "encourages"
        },
        "pastSimple": "encouraged",
        "pastParticiple": "encouraged",
        "ingForm": "encouraging"
    },
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to give somebody support, courage or hope",
            "sensetop": "encourage somebodyencourage somebody in something+ speech",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We were greatly encouraged by the positive response of the public.",
                    "contextForm": "encourage somebody"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She encouraged many young writers and artists."
                },
                {
                    "text": "My parents have always encouraged me in my choice of career.",
                    "contextForm": "encourage somebody in something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘You're doing fine,’ he encouraged them.",
                    "contextForm": "+ speech"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She especially encouraged young scientists."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We were greatly encouraged by the support we received."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["greatly", "highly", "strongly"],
                "verb + encourage": ["aim to", "try to", "want to"],
                "preposition": ["in"],
                "phrases": [
                    "an attempt to encourage something",
                    "an effort to encourage something"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to persuade somebody to do something by making it easier for them and making them believe it is a good thing to do",
            "sensetop": "encourage somebody to do somethingencourage (doing) something",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Banks **actively encouraged** people to borrow money.",
                    "contextForm": "encourage somebody to do something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "I **strongly encourage** everyone to go and see this important film."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Speaking your mind is highly encouraged at these sessions.",
                    "contextForm": "encourage (doing) something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The aim of the campaign is to encourage youngsters to become involved in grassroots sport."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The new measures are designed to encourage more people to cycle."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Discussion and agreement"],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["greatly", "highly", "strongly"],
                "verb + encourage": ["aim to", "try to", "want to"],
                "preposition": ["in"],
                "phrases": [
                    "an attempt to encourage something",
                    "an effort to encourage something"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "to make something more likely to happen or develop",
            "sensetop": "encourage somethingencourage something in somebody/somethingencourage somebody to do something",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "There is a clear case for spending public money on **encouraging participation** in sport.",
                    "contextForm": "encourage something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "to **encourage development/investment/growth**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The government should **encourage the use** of renewable energy sources."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They claim that some computer games encourage violent behaviour in young children.",
                    "contextForm": "encourage something in somebody/something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Music and lighting are used to encourage shoppers to buy more.",
                    "contextForm": "encourage somebody to do something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The government must actively encourage investment in these areas."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We want a company culture that welcomes ideas and encourages innovation."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These questions are designed to encourage debate."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Do toy guns encourage aggression?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Programmes like this just encourage stereotyping."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The treaty is aimed at encouraging cooperation between Member States."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We're looking at ways to encourage recycling."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["greatly", "highly", "strongly"],
                "verb + encourage": ["aim to", "try to", "want to"],
                "preposition": ["in"],
                "phrases": [
                    "an attempt to encourage something",
                    "an effort to encourage something"
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ/",
                "audio": "en/encourage/encourage__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒɪz/",
                "audio": "en/encourage/encourages__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒd/",
                "audio": "en/encourage/encouraged__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒɪŋ/",
                "audio": "en/encourage/encouraging__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒ/",
                "audio": "en/encourage/encourage__us_4.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒɪz/",
                "audio": "en/encourage/encourages__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒd/",
                "audio": "en/encourage/encouraged__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒɪŋ/",
                "audio": "en/encourage/encouraging__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English (formerly also as incourage): from French encourager, from en- ‘in’ + corage ‘courage’."
}