The phrase “as encouraged by” might not seem like a high-frequency term in English, but understanding its nuances and applications can significantly enhance your IELTS writing score, especially in Task 2 essays where you’re expected to express complex ideas with precision and clarity.
Let’s consider a few examples of how “as encouraged by” can be used across different IELTS Writing tasks:
Example 1 (Task 2 – Opinion Essay):
“Some people believe that the government should invest heavily in public transportation, as encouraged by environmental activists, to reduce carbon emissions.”
Analysis: In this sentence, “as encouraged by” connects the opinion (government investment in public transportation) to the source of encouragement (environmental activists).
Example 2 (Task 2 – Problem/Solution Essay):
“One solution to combat the rising obesity rates, as encouraged by health professionals, is to promote healthier eating habits among children.”
Analysis: Here, the phrase highlights the source of the proposed solution (health professionals) and adds credibility to the argument.
Example 3 (Task 1 – Describing a Process):
“The final stage of the manufacturing process, as encouraged by quality control guidelines, involves a thorough inspection of each product.”
Analysis: In this case, “as encouraged by” emphasises the adherence to external standards (quality control guidelines) in the process.
Understanding “As Encouraged By”
“As encouraged by” is a phrase used to introduce an action, suggestion, or idea that is promoted or supported by a particular person, group, or set of guidelines. It signifies that the action is being undertaken due to the influence or recommendation of the encouraging entity.
Frequency in IELTS: While not overly common, understanding how to use this phrase correctly demonstrates a strong grasp of vocabulary and sentence structure, contributing to a higher lexical resource score.
Structure and Grammatical Points
“As encouraged by” is typically used in the following structure:
[Action/Suggestion/Idea] + as encouraged by + [Source of Encouragement]
Breakdown:
- Action/Suggestion/Idea: This is the main clause of the sentence, expressing what is being done or proposed.
- As encouraged by: This phrase acts as a prepositional phrase modifying the main clause.
- Source of Encouragement: This identifies the person, group, or guidelines influencing the action.
Grammatical Points:
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure that the verb in the main clause agrees with the subject, not the source of encouragement.
- Punctuation: Depending on its position in the sentence, “as encouraged by” might require a comma. If it introduces the sentence, a comma follows the phrase. If it’s in the middle, it’s often enclosed in commas.
Applying “As Encouraged By” in IELTS Writing
Writing Task 2
- Presenting Solutions: “To tackle climate change, governments should invest in renewable energy sources, as encouraged by leading scientists.”
- Giving Examples: “Many cities are adopting cycling infrastructure, as encouraged by urban planners, to reduce traffic congestion.”
- Supporting Arguments: “Parental involvement in education is crucial for a child’s development, as encouraged by numerous studies.”
Writing Task 1
While less common in Task 1, you can still use “as encouraged by” effectively:
- Describing Trends: “The graph shows a decline in smoking rates, as encouraged by public health campaigns.”
- Explaining Processes: “The assembly line operates on a lean manufacturing model, as encouraged by industry best practices.”
Reaching a Higher Score: Using Synonyms and Variations
To demonstrate a wider vocabulary range, consider using synonyms or variations of “as encouraged by”:
- As promoted by: “The use of energy-efficient appliances is as promoted by government initiatives.”
- As advocated by: “A plant-based diet is as advocated by many health experts.”
- In line with the recommendations of: “The company implemented stricter safety measures in line with the recommendations of the safety inspector.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect Preposition: Using prepositions other than “by” after “encouraged” (e.g., “as encouraged with” is incorrect).
- Misplaced Modifier: Ensure that “as encouraged by” clearly modifies the intended action and doesn’t create ambiguity.
- Overuse: While useful, avoid using “as encouraged by” excessively, as it can make your writing repetitive.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of phrases like “as encouraged by” can significantly elevate the quality of your IELTS writing. By understanding its structure, grammatical nuances, and various applications, you can express your ideas more precisely and showcase a broader vocabulary range, ultimately boosting your chances of achieving a higher band score. Remember to practice incorporating this phrase into your writing practice to gain confidence and fluency.