foment/ promote/ encourage
In this town the council should foment/ encourage young people employment by reducing taxes to companies so that they can hire more employees.

We need to encourage the use of public transport

Is " encourage " ok when referring to things instead of people?

Thanks

Question

foment/ promote/ encourage
In this town the council should foment/ encourage young people employment by reducing taxes to companies so that they can hire more employees.

We need to encourage the use of public transport

Is " encourage " ok when referring to things instead of people?

Thanks

Answer

Nobody ever uses the word 'foment' - you can forget that one straight away!

And yes, you can 'encourage' things, such as the use of public transport.