Encourage vs Incourage: When To Use Each One In Writing

Are you confused about whether to use “encourage” or “incourage”? You are not alone. Many people are unsure about which word to use in different situations. In this article, we will explore the differences between the two words and provide you with the knowledge to use them correctly in your writing.

It is important to note that “encourage” is the proper word to use in most situations. It means to give someone support, confidence, or hope. For example, you might encourage a friend who is going through a tough time, or encourage your child to pursue their dreams.

On the other hand, “incourage” is not a proper word in the English language. It is a misspelling of “encourage” and should be avoided in all situations. Using “incourage” instead of “encourage” could make your writing appear unprofessional and confuse your readers.

Now that we have cleared up the confusion between these two words, let’s dive deeper into the proper usage of “encourage” in different contexts.

Define Encourage

Encourage is a verb that means to give support, confidence, or hope to someone. It involves inspiring and motivating others to take action, pursue their goals, and overcome challenges. Encouragement can be expressed through words, actions, or gestures, and can have a positive impact on people’s self-esteem, well-being, and performance.

Define Incourage

Incourage is not a recognized word in the English language. It may be a misspelling or a neologism that has not yet gained acceptance. However, if we were to interpret the word as a combination of “in” and “courage,” it could mean to possess or embody courage within oneself. In this sense, it would be similar to the concept of self-motivation or self-encouragement.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct word in a sentence can make a significant difference in the message you are trying to convey. The words “encourage” and “incourage” are often confused, but they have different meanings and uses. In this section, we will discuss how to use these words properly in a sentence.

How To Use “Encourage” In A Sentence

“Encourage” is a verb that means to give support, confidence, or hope to someone. It can also mean to promote or stimulate something. Here are some examples of how to use “encourage” in a sentence:

• I always encourage my children to do their best in school.
• The coach encouraged the team to work harder and never give up.
• The company is encouraging its employees to take on new challenges and develop their skills.

As you can see from these examples, “encourage” is often used to inspire or motivate someone to take action or to continue with their efforts.

How To Use “Incourage” In A Sentence

“Incourage” is not a commonly used word in the English language. It is not listed in most dictionaries, and it is not considered a standard English word. However, some people may use “incourage” as a variation of “encourage,” meaning to discourage or to hinder someone from taking action. Here are some examples of how to use “incourage” in a sentence:

• The negative comments from her classmates incouraged her from pursuing her dreams.
• His fear of failure incouraged him from taking risks and trying new things.
• The lack of support from his family incouraged him from pursuing his passion.

It is important to note that “incourage” is not a widely accepted word, and it may cause confusion or miscommunication if used in place of “discourage” or “hinder.”

More Examples Of Encourage & Incourage Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the difference between encourage and incourage, let’s take a look at some examples of how these words are used in sentences.

Examples Of Using Encourage In A Sentence

• The coach encouraged the team to work harder in order to win the game.
• I always try to encourage my children to do their best in school.
• Her positive attitude encouraged others to stay optimistic during difficult times.
• The teacher encouraged her students to ask questions and participate in class discussions.
• My boss encouraged me to take on more responsibility in the workplace.
• The audience’s applause encouraged the performer to give an encore.
• He encouraged his friend to pursue his dream of starting his own business.
• The support of her family encouraged her to continue her education and pursue her career goals.
• The charity event was designed to encourage donations from the community.
• The motivational speaker’s words encouraged the audience to believe in themselves.

Examples Of Using Incourage In A Sentence

• Although the boss claimed to encourage innovation, his actions seemed to incourage conformity.
• The negative feedback from her coworkers incouraged her to quit her job.
• His lack of enthusiasm incouraged his teammates to give up on the project.
• The strict rules and regulations incouraged rebellion among the students.
• The company’s policies seemed to incourage dishonesty and unethical behavior.
• Her constant criticism incouraged her daughter’s low self-esteem.
• The politician’s divisive rhetoric incouraged hatred and intolerance.
• The fear-mongering tactics of the media incouraged panic and hysteria.
• The coach’s harsh criticism incouraged his players to lose confidence in themselves.
• The outdated curriculum incouraged disinterest and apathy among the students.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “encourage” and “incourage”, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should be used appropriately. Here are some common mistakes people make and why they are incorrect:

Using “Incourage” Instead Of “Encourage”

One common mistake is using “incourage” instead of “encourage”. However, “incourage” is not a valid word in the English language. The correct word to use is “encourage”.

Using “Encourage” When “Motivate” Is More Appropriate

Another mistake is using “encourage” when “motivate” is more appropriate. While “encourage” means to give someone support, confidence, or hope, “motivate” means to give someone a reason or incentive to do something. For example, you would “encourage” someone to pursue their dreams, but you would “motivate” them to work harder towards achieving those dreams.

Using “Incourage” To Mean The Opposite Of “Encourage”

Some people use “incourage” to mean the opposite of “encourage”. However, there is no such word as “incourage” in the English language. If you want to express the opposite of “encourage”, you can use words like “dishearten” or “discourage”.

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:

• Double-check the spelling and meaning of the word before using it.
• If you are unsure of the meaning, look it up in a dictionary or thesaurus.
• Consider the context in which the word is being used and choose the appropriate word accordingly.

Context Matters

Choosing between encourage and incourage can depend on the context in which they are used. Both words have similar meanings, but they are not interchangeable in every situation. Understanding the context is essential to ensure that the right word is used.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Below are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between encourage and incourage might change:

Context	Encourage	Incourage
Personal Development	Encourage is commonly used in the context of personal development. For example, a coach might encourage their athlete to work harder to improve their performance.	Incourage is not typically used in the context of personal development.
Team Building	Encourage is often used in the context of team building. For example, a manager might encourage their team to work together to achieve a common goal.	Incourage could also be used in the context of team building, but it would imply a more forceful approach. For example, a manager might incourage their team to work together by setting strict deadlines and holding them accountable.
Motivation	Encourage is commonly used in the context of motivation. For example, a teacher might encourage their students to study for an upcoming exam.	Incourage is not typically used in the context of motivation.

As the examples above demonstrate, the choice between encourage and incourage can depend on the context in which they are used. It’s important to consider the tone and meaning of each word to ensure that the right word is chosen for the situation at hand.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using encourage and incourage are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. In these cases, it’s important to understand the nuances of the words and how they can be used differently.

Encourage

One exception to the rule of using encourage is when it is used in a sarcastic or ironic way. In these cases, encourage can actually mean the opposite of its typical meaning. For example:

• “Oh yeah, go ahead and encourage him to eat another slice of cake.”
• “I really encourage you to keep interrupting me while I’m trying to work.”

In these cases, encourage is being used to express disapproval or frustration rather than support or motivation.

Incourage

The word incourage is not commonly used in modern English, but it does have historical and literary significance. In some cases, it may be used as a deliberate archaism or to evoke a sense of old-fashioned charm or formality. For example:

• “I must incourage you to attend the ball this evening.”
• “The queen incouraged her subjects to be brave in the face of danger.”

In these cases, incourage is being used as a synonym for encourage, but with a slightly different connotation. It may suggest a more formal or elevated tone, or evoke a sense of nostalgia or historical context.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of encourage and incourage is to practice using them in sentences. Here are some practice exercises to help you do just that:

Exercise 1

Choose the correct word (encourage or incourage) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

• My coach always __________ me to do my best.
• The teacher tried to __________ the students to participate in the discussion.
• It’s important to __________ positive behavior in children.
• His negative attitude only served to __________ others around him.

Answer Key:

• encourages
• encourage
• encourage
• incourage

Exercise 2

Write a sentence using each of the following words:

Word	Sentence
encourage
incourage

Explanations:

• Encourage: This word means to give someone the confidence or motivation to do something. Example sentence: I always try to encourage my friends to pursue their dreams.
• Incourage: This word is not a real word in standard English. It is likely a misspelling of encourage.

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of encourage and avoid using the incorrect word incourage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proper use of language and grammar is crucial for effective communication. The distinction between “encourage” and “incourage” is just one example of the importance of understanding the nuances of language use.

Throughout this article, we have explored the differences between these two words and how they are commonly misused. We have also discussed the origins and meanings of each word, as well as provided examples of their correct usage.

It is essential to continue learning and improving our language skills to avoid misunderstandings and convey our intended messages clearly. By paying attention to the details of language use, we can communicate more effectively and confidently in both written and spoken communication.

Key Takeaways

• The words “encourage” and “incourage” have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.
• “Encourage” means to give support, confidence, or hope to someone, while “incourage” is not a word in the English language.
• Understanding the nuances of language use is crucial for effective communication.

Keep Learning

Learning about grammar and language use is an ongoing process. There are many resources available to help you improve your language skills, including online courses, books, and workshops.

By continuing to learn and practice, you can become more confident in your communication skills and avoid common mistakes like confusing “encourage” and “incourage”.