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encourager

A2 verb #1,500 most common 9 min read

encourager

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips encourager in 30 Seconds

Explanation encourager in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'encourager' is a useful verb to express basic support. You might use it in simple sentences like 'Je t'encourage' (I encourage you) or 'Il encourage son ami' (He encourages his friend). At this stage, learners should focus on the basic meaning: cheering someone on. It is often introduced in the context of sports or hobbies. The main goal for an A1 learner is to recognize the word and understand that it is a positive action. You don't need to worry about complex prepositions yet, just the idea of giving 'courage' to someone else. It's a first-group verb, so it follows the regular -er conjugation patterns, which is helpful for beginners.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'encourager' with more structure. This is where the 'encourager quelqu'un à faire quelque chose' pattern becomes important. You should be able to talk about school or work contexts. For example, 'Le professeur encourage les élèves à parler français.' You also start to see the word in the 'imparfait' or 'passé composé'. A2 learners should also be aware of the spelling rule: keeping the 'e' in 'nous encourageons'. This level is about moving from simple cheering to describing how one person motivates another to perform a specific task.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'encourager' in a variety of social and professional situations. You can use it to talk about abstract concepts, such as 'encourager la paix' or 'encourager le recyclage'. You should also be able to use it with object pronouns: 'Mes parents m'ont encouragé.' At this level, you start to distinguish 'encourager' from similar verbs like 'aider' or 'conseiller'. You understand that 'encourager' implies a boost in confidence. You might also encounter it in more formal writing, like letters of recommendation or simple news articles about social initiatives.

At the B2 level, 'encourager' is used to discuss systemic and societal issues. You might analyze how certain laws 'encouragent' economic growth or how social media 'encourage' certain behaviors. You should be able to use the passive voice: 'Cette initiative est vivement encouragée par les autorités.' You also start to use more sophisticated adverbs with it, like 'vivement', 'fortement', or 'pleinement'. At B2, you are expected to understand the nuance between 'encourager' and 'inciter', recognizing that 'encourager' usually carries a more positive, moral weight.

For C1 learners, 'encourager' is a tool for nuanced argumentation. You can use it to describe subtle psychological states or complex institutional policies. You might explore the reflexive form 's'encourager' in literary contexts or discuss the etymological roots to make a point about the nature of 'courage' in French society. You should be able to use the verb in all tenses, including the 'subjonctif' (Il faut que nous les encouragions). At this level, you can also use the word in a slightly ironic or critical way, such as 'encourager la paresse', to describe the unintended consequences of a policy.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'encourager'. You can use it in high-level academic, philosophical, or diplomatic discourse. You understand its role in 'le discours incitatif' and can analyze how the verb functions in classical French literature versus modern corporate jargon. You can use it to express very specific shades of meaning, perhaps pairing it with rare synonyms or using it in complex metaphorical structures. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, and you can navigate the subtle differences between 'encourager', 'exhorter', and 'instiguer' with ease.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

encourager in 30 Seconds

Encourager means to give courage or support to someone, helping them feel confident to act or continue.
It is a regular -er verb, but remember to keep the 'e' in 'nous encourageons' for pronunciation.
The standard grammatical structure is 'encourager quelqu'un à faire quelque chose' (using the preposition 'à').
It can also mean to promote or foster things like growth, creativity, or specific social behaviors.

The French verb encourager is a powerful and versatile word that literally translates to 'putting courage into' someone. At its core, it is about reinforcement—providing the emotional or structural support necessary for an action to continue or for a person to feel capable. In a linguistic sense, it is built from the prefix 'en-' (into) and the noun 'courage'. When you encourage someone, you are not just being nice; you are actively contributing to their resilience and determination. This word is ubiquitous in French life, from the classroom where a teacher supports a student, to the stadium where fans cheer for their team, to the political arena where governments promote specific economic policies.

Emotional Support: To inspire someone with spirit or confidence. Example: 'Mes parents m'ont toujours encouragé dans mes études.'

Il est essentiel d'encourager les jeunes talents dès le début de leur carrière.

Promotion of Growth: To stimulate the development of an industry, a habit, or a trend. Example: 'L'État encourage l'utilisation des énergies renouvelables.'

In French culture, the act of encouragement is often tied to the concept of 'le soutien' (support). It is seen as a social duty in many contexts. For instance, in French schools, while the grading system can be rigorous, the pedagogical shift in recent years has focused heavily on how to 'encourager' students rather than just pointing out mistakes. This reflects a broader psychological understanding of the word as a catalyst for growth. Furthermore, the word carries a sense of 'incitement' in certain contexts—not necessarily negative, but as a push toward a specific goal. Whether it is a coach on the sidelines or a mentor in a corporate setting, the act of 'encourager' is the fuel that keeps the engine of progress running.

Nous devons encourager le dialogue entre les différentes cultures.

Physical Cheering: In sports, fans 'encouragent' their team by shouting and clapping. Example: 'Le public encourageait les coureurs sous la pluie.'

Finally, 'encourager' can be used in a more abstract, almost mechanical sense. For example, a specific environment might 'encourager' a certain type of behavior. A well-lit park might encourage people to walk more at night. Here, the 'encouragement' is not verbal but structural. This nuance is vital for B2 and C1 learners who need to describe systemic influences. In summary, 'encourager' is about creating the conditions—mental, physical, or social—where success becomes more likely.

Using encourager correctly requires understanding its grammatical construction and its various shades of meaning. The most common structure is encourager quelqu'un à faire quelque chose. This 'à' is crucial; using 'de' is a common mistake for English speakers. For example, 'Je t'encourage à lire ce livre' (I encourage you to read this book). Note that the person being encouraged is the direct object (COD). If you replace the person with a pronoun, you use 'le', 'la', or 'les'.

The Direct Object: The person receiving the encouragement is the direct object. Example: 'Je l'encourage.' (I encourage him/her.)

Elle m'a encouragé à postuler pour ce poste de direction.

Incentivizing Actions: When used with things, it means to promote. Example: 'Le gouvernement encourage l'investissement étranger.'

In professional settings, 'encourager' is often used in performance reviews or project proposals. It sounds more formal than 'aider' (to help) and more supportive than 'ordonner' (to order). It implies a level of partnership. If a manager says, 'J'encourage la prise d'initiative,' they are signaling a cultural value of the company. In academic writing, you might see 'encourager' used to describe how one variable influences another: 'Cette politique encourage une plus grande transparence.'

Nous encourageons vivement nos clients à donner leur avis.

Reflexive Use?: While 's'encourager' (to encourage oneself or each other) exists, it is less common than the transitive form. Example: 'Ils s'encouragent mutuellement avant le match.'

When using 'encourager' in the passive voice, it often describes a general trend or social norm. 'Le sport est encouragé dès le plus jeune âge.' This structure is useful for making general statements about society or education. Remember that 'encourager' can also take a simple noun as an object without an infinitive: 'Encourager la paix,' 'Encourager la créativité.' In these cases, it functions as a synonym for 'favoriser' or 'promouvoir'.

You will encounter encourager in almost every facet of French life. In the domestic sphere, parents use it to motivate children: 'On t'encourage, mon chéri !' In schools, it is a key part of the pedagogical vocabulary. Teachers write 'À encourager' on report cards to indicate that while the results aren't perfect yet, the effort is there and should be supported. This nuance is specifically French—it's a way of being constructive without being overly critical.

Allez les Bleus ! On vous encourage !

Sports Commentary: Commentators often say, 'Le public encourage son champion,' describing the roar of the crowd.

In the workplace, 'encourager' is a buzzword for modern management. You'll hear it in meetings: 'Nous devons encourager la collaboration entre les départements.' It sounds more modern and less hierarchical than 'demander' or 'exiger'. It suggests that the management is providing the tools and the environment for the employees to succeed on their own. In advertisements, companies use it to build a relationship with the consumer: 'Nous vous encourageons à découvrir notre nouvelle gamme.'

Le médecin m'a encouragé à faire plus d'exercice physique.

Medical Context: Doctors use it when suggesting lifestyle changes that require the patient's willpower.

In literature and cinema, 'encourager' often appears in dialogues where a mentor figure speaks to a protagonist. It marks a turning point in the story where the hero gains the confidence to act. Even in social media, the 'like' button or supportive comments are seen as ways to 'encourager' creators. The word has evolved from its physical roots of 'giving heart' to a digital age where it signifies engagement and validation.

The most frequent mistake learners make with encourager involves the preposition that follows it. Many English speakers, influenced by the English 'encourage someone TO do something', mistakenly use 'de' in French. However, the correct preposition is à. Saying 'Je vous encourage de venir' is incorrect; it must be 'Je vous encourage à venir'. This is a high-frequency error that immediately marks a non-native speaker.

Preposition Error: Incorrect: 'Il m'encourage de chanter.' Correct: 'Il m'encourage à chanter.'

Attention : on encourage quelqu'un À faire quelque chose.

Another mistake is confusing 'encourager' with 'inciter' or 'pousser'. While they are similar, 'encourager' always has a positive, supportive connotation. 'Pousser' (to push) can be neutral or even negative, implying pressure. 'Inciter' is more formal and often used for neutral prompts. If you want to say someone was pressured into doing something bad, 'encourager' is the wrong word; 'pousser' or 'forcer' would be better. Using 'encourager' in a negative context sounds strange to a native ear.

Confusion with 'Soutenir': 'Soutenir' is more about providing the foundation or help, while 'encourager' is about providing the motivation or spirit.

Finally, watch out for the reflexive form. While 's'encourager' is possible, it's often better to use 'se motiver' if you're talking about yourself. 'Je m'encourage' sounds a bit like you're cheering for yourself in the third person. Use 'Je me motive pour aller au sport' instead. Also, ensure you don't confuse the verb 'encourager' with the noun 'encouragement'. You 'donnez des encouragements' but you 'encouragez quelqu'un'.

To truly master encourager, you must understand how it sits within a family of related verbs. Each has a specific nuance that changes the tone of your sentence. The most common synonym is soutenir, but while 'encourager' is about giving spirit, 'soutenir' is often about providing practical or emotional backing. You 'soutenir' a friend during a breakup, but you 'encourager' them to start dating again.

Encourager vs. Soutenir: 'Encourager' is active/motivational. 'Soutenir' is foundational/supportive.

Il faut stimuler l'imagination des enfants, pas seulement les encourager.

Stimuler: To provoke a reaction or increase activity. More clinical or biological than 'encourager'.

Another word to consider is inciter. This is often used when the encouragement is more of a nudge or a prompt toward a specific action, often without the emotional warmth of 'encourager'. For example, 'Le prix bas incite à l'achat.' You wouldn't say the price 'encourage' the purchase in the same way, as a price doesn't have 'courage' to give. Then there is motiver, which is very common in modern French, especially regarding work or sports. It focuses on the 'why' (the motive) behind the action.

Promouvoir: Used for products, ideas, or ranks. 'Il a été promu' (He was promoted) vs 'On l'a encouragé' (He was encouraged).

Finally, the antonym décourager is just as important. It follows the same grammatical rules. Understanding that 'encourager' is the opposite of 'décourager' (to take away courage/to dissuade) helps solidify the meaning. In summary, choose 'encourager' when you want to emphasize the positive reinforcement of someone's spirit or the active promotion of a beneficial trend.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Verbs ending in -ger

Direct object pronouns

Prepositions with infinitives

The passive voice

The subjunctive mood

Examples by Level

Je t'encourage !

I am encouraging you!

Present tense, 1st person singular.

Elle encourage son frère.

She encourages her brother.

Direct object: son frère.

Nous encourageons l'équipe.

We are encouraging the team.

Note the 'e' before -ons.

Tu encourages tes amis ?

Do you encourage your friends?

Question form.

Ils encouragent le chanteur.

They are encouraging the singer.

3rd person plural.

Le père encourage son enfant.

The father encourages his child.

Subject-verb-object.

Vous encouragez bien !

You encourage well!

Adverb 'bien' after the verb.

On encourage tout le monde.

We encourage everyone.

'On' used as 'we'.

Le prof m'encourage à lire.

The teacher encourages me to read.

Structure: encourager [COD] à [inf].

Mes parents m'encouragent beaucoup.

My parents encourage me a lot.

Adverb 'beaucoup' after the verb.

Il encourage son ami à faire du sport.

He encourages his friend to do sports.

Preposition 'à' before the infinitive.

Nous vous encourageons à essayer.

We encourage you to try.

Direct object pronoun 'vous'.

Elle a encouragé sa sœur hier.

She encouraged her sister yesterday.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Ils m'ont encouragé à chanter.

They encouraged me to sing.

Passé composé with direct object 'm''.

Je t'encourage à finir tes devoirs.

I encourage you to finish your homework.

Present tense + à + infinitive.

Vous nous encouragez toujours.

You always encourage us.

Frequency adverb 'toujours'.

Le gouvernement encourage le tri des déchets.

The government encourages waste sorting.

Abstract object: le tri.

Cette musique m'encourage à travailler.

This music encourages me to work.

Inanimate subject: cette musique.

Il est important d'encourager la créativité.

It is important to encourage creativity.

Infinitive after 'il est important de'.

Elle m'a encouragé malgré mes erreurs.

She encouraged me despite my mistakes.

Use of 'malgré'.

Nous encourageons nos employés à prendre des initiatives.

We encourage our employees to take initiative.

Professional context.

Le public l'a encouragé pendant toute la course.

The crowd encouraged him throughout the race.

Passé composé + duration.

Je vous encourage vivement à visiter ce musée.

I strongly encourage you to visit this museum.

Adverb 'vivement' for emphasis.

On doit encourager les échanges culturels.

We must encourage cultural exchanges.

Modal verb 'doit' + infinitive.

Cette politique encourage l'investissement dans le secteur vert.

This policy encourages investment in the green sector.

Economic context.

Il faut encourager le dialogue pour éviter les conflits.

Dialogue must be encouraged to avoid conflicts.

Impersonal 'il faut'.

Les résultats nous encouragent à poursuivre nos efforts.

The results encourage us to continue our efforts.

Abstract subject: les résultats.

Elle a été encouragée par ses pairs.

She was encouraged by her peers.

Passive voice.

Le climat actuel n'encourage pas la consommation.

The current climate does not encourage consumption.

Negative form.

Nous encourageons une approche plus humaine de la médecine.

We encourage a more humane approach to medicine.

Nuanced object.

L'école doit encourager l'esprit critique.

School must encourage critical thinking.

Philosophical object.

Je vous encourage à réfléchir avant de décider.

I encourage you to think before deciding.

Complex sentence structure.

L'auteur encourage une remise en question des normes sociales.

The author encourages a questioning of social norms.

Literary analysis context.

Il est primordial que nous encouragions l'innovation technologique.

It is essential that we encourage technological innovation.

Subjunctive mood: encouragions.

Cette mesure risque d'encourager la fraude fiscale.

This measure risks encouraging tax evasion.

Negative outcome of encouragement.

Le texte encourage une lecture au second degré.

The text encourages a second-degree reading.

Nuanced interpretation.

Nous ne saurions trop vous encourager à la prudence.

We cannot encourage you enough to be cautious.

Formal 'ne saurions trop'.

L'environnement urbain encourage-t-il l'isolement ?

Does the urban environment encourage isolation?

Interrogative with inversion.

Elle s'encourageait en pensant à son objectif final.

She encouraged herself by thinking of her final goal.

Reflexive in the imperfect.

Les subventions encouragent le développement des zones rurales.

Subsidies encourage the development of rural areas.

Administrative context.

Le traité vise à encourager la prolifération des échanges multilatéraux.

The treaty aims to encourage the proliferation of multilateral exchanges.

Diplomatic register.

L'absence de régulation encourage l'émergence de monopoles.

The lack of regulation encourages the emergence of monopolies.

Economic theory context.

Il convient d'encourager une synergie entre les acteurs publics et privés.

It is appropriate to encourage synergy between public and private actors.

Formal 'il convient de'.

Cette philosophie encourage l'ataraxie et le détachement.

This philosophy encourages ataraxia and detachment.

Philosophical terminology.

L'œuvre encourage une déconstruction des mythes fondateurs.

The work encourages a deconstruction of founding myths.

Critical theory context.

On ne peut qu'encourager une telle abnégation.

One can only encourage such self-sacrifice.

High-level praise.

La rhétorique employée encourageait la sédition.

The rhetoric used encouraged sedition.

Historical/Legal context.

Il s'agit d'encourager une pérennité des ressources naturelles.

It is about encouraging the sustainability of natural resources.

Environmental policy.

Common Collocations

encourager vivement

encourager fortement

encourager la croissance

encourager les efforts

encourager le dialogue

encourager l'innovation

encourager la participation

encourager le développement

encourager les talents

encourager la paix

Common Phrases

C'est à encourager.

Je vous encourage à...

Il faut encourager les jeunes.

Encourager par l'exemple.

Encourager de la voix.

Encourager le commerce local.

Encourager la prise de risque.

Se sentir encouragé.

Encourager mutuellement.

Encourager vivement quelqu'un.

Often Confused With

encourager vs inciter

Inciter is more neutral or technical; encourager is more emotional and positive.

encourager vs soutenir

Soutenir is about providing help; encourager is about providing motivation.

encourager vs pousser

Pousser can imply pressure or force; encourager implies support.

Idioms & Expressions

"Encourager les bonnes volontés"

"Encourager le vice (ironic)"

"Encourager la paresse (ironic)"

"Mettre du cœur à l'ouvrage (related)"

"Donner un coup de pouce (related)"

"Porter quelqu'un à bout de bras (related)"

"Battre le rappel (related)"

"Souffler sur les braises (related context)"

"Prendre son courage à deux mains (related)"

"Donner du baume au cœur (related)"

Easily Confused

encourager vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

object

The person encouraged is always a direct object (COD).

preposition

Never use 'de' after encourager when followed by an infinitive.

Common Mistakes

Using 'de' instead of 'à' (e.g., *encourager de faire*).
Forgetting the 'e' in 'nous encourageons'.
Confusing it with 'engager' (to hire/engage).
Using it for negative incitement without irony.
Using an indirect object pronoun (e.g., *lui encourager* instead of *l'encourager*).

Tips

The 'à' Rule

Always pair 'encourager' with 'à' when followed by a verb. This is the most common mistake for English speakers. Practice saying 'encourager à' repeatedly to build muscle memory. For example, 'Il m'encourage à parler'.

The Soft G

Remember the extra 'e' in 'nous encourageons' and 'il encourageait'. This rule applies to all verbs ending in -ger. It's essential for correct pronunciation and professional writing. Without it, the 'g' becomes hard.

Formal Adverbs

To sound more like a native speaker in formal writing, use adverbs like 'vivement' or 'fortement'. 'Je vous encourage vivement à...' sounds much more natural and professional than just 'Je vous encourage à...'. It adds a layer of sincerity.

Positive Only

Only use 'encourager' for positive things. If someone is being pushed to do something bad, use 'pousser' or 'inciter'. 'Encourager' carries a moral weight of support and goodness. Using it for negative actions sounds ironic or strange.

Nasal 'En'

The first syllable 'en' is a nasal vowel. Don't pronounce the 'n' like in 'pen'. It should sound like the 'en' in 'enfant'. Keep your tongue flat and let the air go through your nose.

Economic Use

In news articles, 'encourager' often means 'to subsidize' or 'to promote via policy'. When you read 'L'État encourage l'achat de voitures électriques', it usually implies financial incentives or tax breaks are involved.

Supporting Friends

Use 'Je t'encourage' when a friend is doubting themselves. It's a very warm and supportive thing to say. It shows you believe in their abilities and their 'courage'. It's more personal than just saying 'bonne chance'.

Passive Voice

Using the passive voice 'être encouragé par' is great for academic writing. It allows you to focus on the recipient of the support. 'Les étudiants sont encouragés à participer' is a standard way to describe classroom dynamics.

Listen for the Object

Since 'encourager' is transitive, always look for who or what is being encouraged. This will help you understand the direction of the support in complex sentences. The object usually comes right after the verb.

Word Family

Learn 'encouragement' (noun) and 'encourageant' (adjective) at the same time. This expands your vocabulary quickly. 'C'est très encourageant' is a common phrase to use when you see progress in something.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'en' + 'courage'. You are putting courage INTO someone.

Word Origin

From Old French 'encoragier'.

Cultural Context

In French schools, 'encourager' is often seen as more important than just giving high grades.

It is always polite to 'encourager' someone who is trying to speak French, even if they make mistakes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Comment encouragez-vous vos amis ?"

"Qui vous a le plus encouragé dans votre vie ?"

"Est-il important d'encourager les enfants à faire des erreurs ?"

"Le gouvernement devrait-il encourager le télétravail ?"

"Comment peut-on encourager la lecture chez les jeunes ?"

Journal Prompts

Écrivez sur une fois où quelqu'un vous a encouragé à essayer quelque chose de nouveau.

Comment encouragez-vous votre propre créativité ?

Décrivez une politique que vous aimeriez voir pour encourager la protection de l'environnement.

Pourquoi est-il parfois difficile d'encourager les autres ?

L'encouragement est-il plus efficace que la critique ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

On dit toujours 'encourager à'. C'est une erreur fréquente de calquer sur l'anglais 'encourage to' en utilisant 'de', mais en français, la préposition correcte est 'à'. Par exemple : 'Je t'encourage à continuer tes efforts.' C'est une règle grammaticale stricte pour ce verbe.

Encourager signifie donner du courage ou du soutien moral pour aider quelqu'un à persévérer. Motiver signifie donner une raison ou un motif d'agir. Bien que proches, l'encouragement est plus lié au sentiment de confiance, tandis que la motivation est liée à l'intérêt ou à l'objectif.

On écrit 'nous encourageons'. Il est crucial d'ajouter un 'e' après le 'g' pour maintenir le son doux [ʒ]. Sans ce 'e', on prononcerait 'encouragons' avec un son dur [g], ce qui serait incorrect.

Oui, on peut encourager une chose abstraite comme 'la croissance', 'l'innovation' ou 'le dialogue'. Dans ce contexte, cela signifie favoriser ou promouvoir le développement de cette chose. C'est un usage très courant dans les domaines économique et politique.

Le contraire direct est 'décourager'. Cela signifie enlever le courage à quelqu'un ou le dissuader de faire quelque chose. On peut aussi utiliser 'dissuader' ou 'freiner' selon le contexte.

Oui, c'est un verbe du premier groupe (-er). Il suit les terminaisons régulières, à l'exception de la particularité orthographique des verbes en -ger qui conservent le 'e' devant les voyelles 'a' et 'o'.

C'est un verbe très utile pour les managers. Vous pouvez dire : 'J'encourage la prise d'initiative' ou 'Nous encourageons nos collaborateurs à se former'. Cela montre un style de management positif et participatif.

Oui, c'est tout à fait possible. Par exemple : 'Il a été encouragé par ses professeurs'. Cela met l'accent sur la personne qui reçoit le soutien plutôt que sur celle qui le donne.

Le mot vient du vieux français 'encoragier', formé du préfixe 'en-' et du mot 'courage'. Littéralement, cela signifie mettre du courage dans le cœur de quelqu'un.

Soutenir implique souvent une aide concrète, matérielle ou une présence constante (comme un pilier). Encourager est plus spécifique à l'acte de stimuler la volonté et la confiance de quelqu'un pour une action précise.