discourage someone from + action
Stop someone wanting to do something
From introduces the activity a person avoids.
Her parents discouraged her from quitting school
Discourage by or discourage from?
Discourage usually takes from before an action. By may introduce the means that causes discouragement, but it is not the main complement pattern.
Quick answer
Correct pattern with discourage
Use discourage someone from doing something. By can describe the method used to discourage someone.
discouraged from applying
discouraged by constant criticism
discouraged by constant criticism
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
discouraged by + cause
Show the reason for feeling discouraged
By introduces the thing causing discouragement.
He was discouraged by the low sales figures
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
discourage from
The warning discouraged us from investing.
prevent or reduce willingness to act
discourage by
She felt discouraged by the delays.
show the cause of discouragement
discourage against
The teacher discouraged students from cheating.
against is not standard after discourage
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using by before an action
Use from before a verb ending in -ing.
✕ They discouraged him by moving abroad. ✓ They discouraged him from moving abroad.Missing the object
Discourage usually needs a person or group before from.
✕ The policy discouraged from travelling. ✓ The policy discouraged people from travelling.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The doctor discouraged him ___ smoking.
2. She was discouraged ___ the negative comments.
3. The rules discouraged employees ___ sharing passwords.
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Frequently asked questions
Can discourage be followed directly by a noun?
Yes. You can discourage behaviour, spending, or participation directly.
Is discourage by incorrect?
No. It is correct when by introduces the cause of discouragement.
What verb form follows from?
Use a gerund, such as from leaving or from applying.
Related preposition guides
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