encourage、inspire、excite與stimulate這些動作均表「鼓勵、激勵」之意。
encourage : 指提高某人情緒，增強戰勝困難，實現目標的信心和勇氣。
They've always encouraged me in everything I've wanted to do.
不論我想做什麼，他們總是會鼓勵我。inspire : 通常指鼓起勇氣，充滿信心和希望。His confident leadership inspired his followers.
他那自信的領導風採激勵著他的追隨者。After her trip to Venezuela, she felt inspired to learn Spanish.
委內瑞拉之行促使她下決心學習西班牙語。excite : 主要指某人的言行或其它外界因素使他人變得興奮或感情衝動，多用被動態。This product has excited a great deal of media interest.
這種產品引起了媒體的極大興趣。The statement excited new speculation that a senior official may be about to resign.
這項聲明又引發了新一輪的猜測，大家猜想一位高級部長或許馬上就要辭職。stimulate : 尤指人或物因外界因素而受到刺激，使人振作起來或增強做某事的信心和勇氣。The exhibition has stimulated interest in her work.
展覽增進了人們對她作品的興趣。The article can be used to stimulate discussion among students.
這篇文章可用來活躍學生的討論。