What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
instigate
Example
He was accused of instigating the fight between the two groups. [instigating: verb]
Example
The manager instigated a new policy to improve productivity. [instigated: past tense]
encourage
Example
She always encourages her children to do their best. [encourages: verb]
Example
The coach's pep talk encouraged the team to play harder. [encouraged: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Encourage is more commonly used than instigate in everyday language. Encourage is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while instigate is less common and often associated with negative situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between instigate and encourage?
Both instigate and encourage can be used in formal and informal contexts, but instigate may be seen as more formal due to its less common usage.
