The structure “Encourage + Object + To + Infinitive” is a common and versatile grammatical construction that frequently appears in IELTS exams. Understanding and mastering this structure can significantly enhance your performance across various sections of the test. Let’s explore its usage, importance, and application in IELTS with detailed examples.
Examples of “encourage + object + to + infinitive” in IELTS context:
- The government encourages citizens to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
- Teachers often encourage students to participate actively in class discussions.
- Many companies encourage their employees to pursue further education.
- Parents should encourage children to develop healthy eating habits.
- Environmental activists encourage policymakers to implement stricter pollution controls.
In each of these examples, we see the structure: encourage (subject) + object + to + infinitive verb. This construction is used to express the act of motivating or inspiring someone to do something.
Understanding the “Encourage + Object + To + Infinitive” Structure
The “encourage + object + to + infinitive” structure is used to express the act of motivating or persuading someone to do something. It’s a powerful tool for discussing influence, motivation, and social dynamics, making it particularly relevant for IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks.
Grammatical Breakdown:
- Encourage: The main verb, indicating the act of motivation or support.
- Object: The person or group being encouraged (usually a noun or pronoun).
- To: Preposition connecting the object to the action they’re being encouraged to do.
- Infinitive: The base form of a verb (with “to”), representing the encouraged action.
Encourage Structure Diagram
Formula and Grammatical Rules
The basic formula for this structure is:
[Subject] + encourage + [Object] + to + [Infinitive Verb]
Key points to remember:
- The object is always the person or group being encouraged.
- The infinitive always includes “to” (e.g., to study, to work).
- This structure can be used in various tenses by changing the form of “encourage.”
Examples in different tenses:
- Present Simple: The company encourages employees to innovate.
- Past Simple: The coach encouraged the team to practice harder.
- Present Perfect: Parents have encouraged their children to pursue higher education.
- Future: The government will encourage citizens to conserve water.
Application in IELTS Writing and Speaking
IELTS Writing Task 2
In Writing Task 2, this structure can be effectively used to discuss social issues, government policies, or educational practices. For example:
Essay Topic: The role of education in promoting environmental awareness
Sample paragraph:
“Educational institutions play a crucial role in fostering environmental consciousness. Schools should encourage students to participate in eco-friendly activities and encourage parents to support these initiatives at home. Moreover, governments need to encourage educational boards to incorporate environmental studies into the curriculum, thereby creating a generation of environmentally responsible citizens.”
IELTS Speaking Part 2
In Speaking Part 2, you might use this structure when describing a person who has influenced you or when talking about a significant experience. For example:
Cue Card: Describe a teacher who has influenced you greatly
“I’d like to talk about my high school biology teacher, Mr. Johnson. He always encouraged students to think critically about scientific concepts. What I admired most was how he encouraged us to apply our knowledge to real-world problems. For instance, he encouraged our class to develop a recycling program for the school, which not only taught us about waste management but also about project planning and teamwork.”
Strategies for Achieving High Band Scores
To achieve higher band scores in IELTS, it’s crucial to use this structure accurately and in context. Here are some strategies:
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Variety in Usage: Don’t just stick to “encourage.” Use synonyms like “motivate,” “inspire,” or “persuade” to demonstrate lexical resource.
Example: “The campaign motivated citizens to reduce their carbon footprint.”
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Complex Sentences: Combine this structure with other clauses for more sophisticated expression.
Example: “By encouraging employees to participate in decision-making processes, companies can foster a more engaged and productive workforce.”
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Passive Voice: Use the passive form for variety and to shift focus.
Example: “Students are encouraged to engage in extracurricular activities to develop a well-rounded personality.”
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Adverbs: Add adverbs to provide more detail and sophistication.
Example: “The mentor strongly encouraged the apprentice to diversify his skill set.”
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Extended Objects: Use more complex objects to demonstrate advanced grammar.
Example: “The program encourages those from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue higher education.”
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
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Incorrect Verb Form After ‘To’
- Incorrect: The teacher encouraged students to studying harder.
- Correct: The teacher encouraged students to study harder.
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Omitting ‘To’
- Incorrect: Parents should encourage children eat vegetables.
- Correct: Parents should encourage children to eat vegetables.
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Using Gerund Instead of Infinitive
- Incorrect: The coach encourages team members training regularly.
- Correct: The coach encourages team members to train regularly.
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Incorrect Object Placement
- Incorrect: The campaign encourages to citizens reduce waste.
- Correct: The campaign encourages citizens to reduce waste.
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Overuse in a Single Sentence
- Awkward: The program encourages students to study hard and encourages teachers to support them and encourages parents to provide resources.
- Better: The program encourages students to study hard while motivating teachers to provide support and inspiring parents to offer necessary resources.
Conclusion
Mastering the “encourage + object + to + infinitive” structure is valuable for IELTS success. It allows you to express ideas about motivation, influence, and social dynamics clearly and effectively. Practice using this structure in various contexts, and remember to vary your vocabulary and sentence structures to achieve higher band scores. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, consider how you can incorporate this structure into discussions about education, workplace dynamics, social issues, and personal experiences.
For further practice, try using this structure in essays about environmental policies, technological advancements, or cultural changes. Remember, the key to IELTS success lies in accurate and contextually appropriate language use, combined with a rich vocabulary and varied sentence structures.
