You must encourage him ___ his efforts.
A. at
B. with
C. to
D. in

Note: I can't say I am familiar with the verb "encourage" but it feels right to say “encourage someone to do something” or “encourage something in someone.” If D is the answer, what does “in” mean in “you must encourage him IN his efforts”?

Question

You must encourage him ___ his efforts.
A.	at
B.	with
C.	to 
D.	in

Note: I can't say I am familiar with the verb "encourage" but it feels right to say “encourage someone to do something” or “encourage something in someone.” If D is the answer, what does “in” mean in “you must encourage him IN his efforts”?

Answer

NoAgenda,

The best answer is D because "encourage somebody in something" is standard usage. In your sentence the preposition "in" indicates limitation, i.e inclusion in some qualification or circumstances. Encourage him in his efforts = Encourage him within the scope or range of his efforts. This does not mean encourage him generally, rather encourage him in a defined range of circumstances--in his efforts.

B is also possible, but has a more general even vague meaning.  Encourage him with his efforts: a; encourage him generally using his efforts as an example or stimulus?  or b; encourage him so far as concerns his efforts? (approximately equal to D).

Answer

"You must encourage him in his efforts"   IN is the right answer 
In this sentence, IN is a preposition. Effort is a noun.
A preposition sits before a noun to show the noun's relationship to another word in the sentence

Answer

Is my question understandable? Am I asking the right questions?  Your comments will be appreciated. Thanks