a prompt answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"a prompt answer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when describing a quick or immediate response to a question or request. Example: "Thank you for providing a prompt answer to my inquiry. It was very helpful in making my decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"A lot of things come to us because the owners know they will get a prompt answer.

The New Yorker

"We anticipate a prompt answer and do not see any further barriers arising," said Walter Reiser, the Paraguayan representative on the commission.

The New York Times

Mr. Shafran said that Ms. Adams had contacted Mr. Sampson after her accident because she needed to find out how to reschedule a hearing and was unable to get a prompt answer from the Department of State.

The New York Times

Jenifer Ragland, 27, traces her support for Dr. Dean to when she posted a question about the candidate on an anti-Bush Web site and got a prompt answer from the manager of the Dean campaign, Joe Trippi.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

1938 Eggs, Tomatoes Greet Socialist NEWARK, N.J. — A bombardment of rotten eggs and juicy tomatoes, a riot and an overturned bandstand today [June 5] constituted Newark's prompt answer to a new attempt by Norman Thomas, perennial Socialist candidate for President, to prove that speech can still be free in the State of New Jersey.

The New York Times

If you need a prompt to answer that question, take a look at this segment from "Creature Comforts" which not only answers the question "WHAT IS ART?" but "Who is Art?" as well: Your thoughts?

The New York Times

The lexicons to recognize handwritten words are derived from the reading passage, the testing prompt, answer rubric and student responses.

Artificial Intelligence

A system for prompt answering of questions and dealing with complaints is essential when selling products online; many companies also offer phone help, which you can outsource offshore if need be.

WikiHow

Interestingly, the distributions of the time spent per prompt were not significantly different; in other words, novices and advanced students spend approximately the same time thinking about a prompt and answering it.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

The reply came with questions and an admonishment for prompt answers.

Huffington Post

Patients also recommended a Q&A area to prompt answers from staff that the internet does not provide, although patients recognised that some parents may not want online information: …a FAQ page on the Q&A Forum with the promise of providing an answer to queries within a week (Professional/083).

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prompt answer" when you want to emphasize both the speed and relevance of the response. For example, "The company prides itself on providing a prompt answer to all customer inquiries."

Common error

While "prompt" is suitable for many situations, avoid overusing it in very formal contexts where alternatives like "expeditious" or "timely" might sound more polished. Use "expeditious" or "timely" when you want to highlight the efficiency and speed of the answer, adding a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prompt answer" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., receive a prompt answer) or as a complement in a sentence. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and practical applicability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prompt answer" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a quick and relevant response. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "expeditious" or "timely". By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively use this phrase to convey efficiency and responsiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick response

Replaces "answer" with "response", focusing on the speed of reaction rather than the content of the reply.

an immediate reply

Substitutes "prompt" with "immediate" and "answer" with "reply", stressing the instantaneous nature of the response.

a timely response

Emphasizes the appropriateness of the response's timing rather than just its speed.

a fast reply

Similar to "a quick response", but uses "fast" instead of "quick" for variety.

a speedy reply

Synonymous with "a fast reply", offering a slight variation in wording.

an expeditious answer

Uses "expeditious" to highlight the efficiency and speed of the answer, adding a more formal tone.

a rapid response

Replaces "answer" with "response" and highlights the speed using "rapid".

a swift response

Similar to 'a rapid response', but offers a slightly different choice of words to denote speed.

a timely acknowledgment

Changes "answer" to "acknowledgment", suggesting a simple confirmation rather than a detailed response and replacing prompt with timely.

an immediate acknowledgment

Focuses on the immediate nature of confirmation, rather than the completeness of the response.

FAQs

How can I use "a prompt answer" in a sentence?

You can use "a prompt answer" to describe a quick and timely response to a question or request. For example, "We appreciated receiving "a prompt answer" to our query, as it helped us resolve the issue quickly."

What are some alternatives to "a prompt answer"?

Alternatives include "a quick response", "an immediate reply", or "a timely response", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of the response.

Is it better to say "a quick answer" or "a prompt answer"?

Both "a quick answer" and "a prompt answer" are correct, but "a prompt answer" emphasizes both the speed and the suitability of the answer, while "a quick answer" primarily focuses on speed. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What does "prompt" mean in the context of "a prompt answer"?

In this context, "prompt" means immediate or without delay. It indicates that the answer was provided quickly and efficiently.