What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
promote
Example
The company decided to promote their new product through social media ads. [promote: verb]
Example
She was promoted to manager after years of hard work and dedication. [promoted: past participle]
encourage
Example
I always encourage my students to ask questions and participate in class. [encourage: verb]
Example
Her parents encouraged her to pursue her dreams of becoming a musician. [encouraged: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Encourage is more commonly used than promote in everyday language. Encourage is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while promote is less common and often used in more formal or business settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between promote and encourage?
While promote is typically associated with a formal or business-like tone, encourage is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in personal relationships or emotional support situations.