Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to Provide Words of Encouragement100 Words of Encouragement to UseParting Words

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How to Provide Words of Encouragement

100 Words of Encouragement to Use

Parting Words

Close

A few words of encouragement can often go a long way toward cheering someone on—in good times and bad. Encouraging them can be a powerful way toshow them you careabout them and support them.

Offering positive support through words of encouragement strengthens emotional bonds and helps nurture relationships, saysKristin Wilson, MA, LPC, CCTP, RYT, Chief Experience Officer at Newport Healthcare.

Encouragement offers motivation, boosts confidence, creates a sense of security, and reinforces a person’s worth and capabilities.—KRISTIN WILSON, MA, LPC, CCTP, RYT

Encouragement offers motivation, boosts confidence, creates a sense of security, and reinforces a person’s worth and capabilities.

—KRISTIN WILSON, MA, LPC, CCTP, RYT

We know that sometimes, the right words can be hard to find. You want to show someone your support but you feelawkward, don’t want to sound disingenuous, and get stuck on what to say.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you! In this article, we suggest some words of encouragement you can use to support a friend, partner, child, or coworker.

At a GlanceIt’s important to cheer on your loved ones. Showing them your support and offering them words of encouragement can motivate them to do better and meet their goals. Make it a point to compliment their efforts, regardless of the outcome.Go, get your cheer on!

At a Glance

It’s important to cheer on your loved ones. Showing them your support and offering them words of encouragement can motivate them to do better and meet their goals. Make it a point to compliment their efforts, regardless of the outcome.Go, get your cheer on!

It’s important to cheer on your loved ones. Showing them your support and offering them words of encouragement can motivate them to do better and meet their goals. Make it a point to compliment their efforts, regardless of the outcome.

Go, get your cheer on!

These are some tips that can help you find the right words to encourage someone:

50 First Date Questions to Make a Great Impression

These are some phrases you can use to encourage your friends, children, coworkers, or partners. Notice how simple and straightforward many of them are. You don’t have to be a poet or a motivational speaker to have an impact.

We may not admit it, but we usually like to be encouraged and feel reassured that someone has our back. It’s easier to be there for someone—even in small ways—than you might think.

For a Coworker

If you’re someone who feels awkward about outward encouragement, know that you’re not alone! But think about times you have been encouraged or complimented about your work. It felt pretty good, right?

Here are some helpful words of encouragement for a coworker, whether you’re congratulating someone on a job well done or trying to get the best out of your team:

This kind of encouragement won’t just make someone feel better, it can help motivate them too. Research shows that encouraging employees improves their commitment to their job.

For a Friend

These are some words of encouragement for a friend. You know them best, so feel free to improvise based on the situation or the kind of encouragement you know they have responded to in the past.

For a Partner

A romantic partner is usually one of the most important people in our lives, if notthemost important. A big part of maintaining a healthy long-term relationship is letting your partner know you’re there for them, whatever they might be going through. If your partner’slove languageis words of affirmation, this kind of verbal reinforcement can be even more critical.

These are some words of encouragement for apartner:

For a Child

The great thing about giving encouragement to kids is you don’t have to worry about the kind of sheepish self-conscious reactions you may get from an adult. Children are more earnest, more literal, and won’t have nearly as many complicated feelings about receiving words of encouragement. These are some words of encouragement for a child:

Research shows that encouraging students improves their academic performance andself-efficacy.

25 Motivational Quotes You Didn’t Know You Needed to Read

These words and phrases can help you encourage your loved ones through the ups and downs of life. You can use these phrases, or find your own. Either way, they’ll appreciate it if you genuinely mean it. Yoursupportand understanding will probably mean more to them than you know.

50 Deep Conversation Starters for Meaningful Connections

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhao X, Yang YC, Han G, Zhang Q.The impact of positive verbal rewards on organizational citizenship behavior-the mediating role of psychological ownership and affective commitment.Front Psychol. 2022 Apr 28;13:864078. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.864078Gong Z, Jiao X, Xia X, Yu H, Lv C.The relationship between academic encouragement and academic self-efficacy: a moderated mediation model.Front Psychol. 2022 Jul 7;13:644243. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.644243

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhao X, Yang YC, Han G, Zhang Q.The impact of positive verbal rewards on organizational citizenship behavior-the mediating role of psychological ownership and affective commitment.Front Psychol. 2022 Apr 28;13:864078. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.864078Gong Z, Jiao X, Xia X, Yu H, Lv C.The relationship between academic encouragement and academic self-efficacy: a moderated mediation model.Front Psychol. 2022 Jul 7;13:644243. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.644243

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Zhao X, Yang YC, Han G, Zhang Q.The impact of positive verbal rewards on organizational citizenship behavior-the mediating role of psychological ownership and affective commitment.Front Psychol. 2022 Apr 28;13:864078. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.864078Gong Z, Jiao X, Xia X, Yu H, Lv C.The relationship between academic encouragement and academic self-efficacy: a moderated mediation model.Front Psychol. 2022 Jul 7;13:644243. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.644243

Zhao X, Yang YC, Han G, Zhang Q.The impact of positive verbal rewards on organizational citizenship behavior-the mediating role of psychological ownership and affective commitment.Front Psychol. 2022 Apr 28;13:864078. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.864078

Gong Z, Jiao X, Xia X, Yu H, Lv C.The relationship between academic encouragement and academic self-efficacy: a moderated mediation model.Front Psychol. 2022 Jul 7;13:644243. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.644243

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?