Cool MateEncouraging vs Promising
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
| Encouraging | Promising | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Making someone feel good and want to try harder. | Showing signs of being good or successful in the future. |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Usage notes | Use 'encouraging' when talking about support. It's appropriate in both casual and professional contexts, but avoid it in very critical situations or when giving tough feedback. | Use 'promising' to describe something that has potential, particularly in business or personal development. It's not appropriate for things that are guaranteed to succeed. |
Frequently asked questions: Encouraging vs Promising
What's the difference between "Encouraging" and "Promising"?
"Encouraging" means: Making someone feel good and want to try harder. "Promising" means: Showing signs of being good or successful in the future.
When should I use "Encouraging" and "Promising"?
They can all be used in everyday English.
Are "Encouraging" and "Promising" the same CEFR level?
"Encouraging" is at C1, "Promising" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.