What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
heartening
Example
The support from the community was heartening during the difficult times. [heartening: adjective]
Example
It was heartening to see the progress made by the team after months of hard work. [heartening: gerund or present participle]
encouraging
Example
The teacher's encouraging words helped the student to believe in themselves. [encouraging: adjective]
Example
The company's financial report was encouraging, showing signs of growth and profitability. [encouraging: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Encouraging is more commonly used than heartening in everyday language. Encouraging is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while heartening is less common and refers to a specific emotional response.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between heartening and encouraging?
Both heartening and encouraging are suitable for formal and informal contexts, but encouraging is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.
