at the prompting of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the prompting of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express when someone does something in response to someone else's urging or suggestion. Example: She made the decision to leave her job at the prompting of her husband.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Crawford watched his first Ultimate match six years ago, at the prompting of his niece.

The New Yorker

The FLA inspection came at the prompting of Apple, the first technology company to join it.

The Guardian - Tech

At the prompting of antivice groups, the police occasionally raided even cafeterias.

The New York Times

There were definitely moments when I, at the prompting of other people, thought about shortening the piece.

The New Yorker

In effect, the poor rose to revolt only at the prompting of members of the ruling class.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the prompting of its director, Neil MacGregor, the British Museum will bring the story of Babylon up to date.

The Economist

Kevin Yourdkhani, at the prompting of one of Hines's law students, wrote a brief description of one such occasion.

The New Yorker

At the prompting of friends, he changed his name by deed poll to the more artistic "Alistair Cookee in 1930.

The Guardian

These changes, according to Nadal, came at the prompting of his new coach, the retired Spanish tennis star Carlos Moya.

The New Yorker

Dr. King spoke reluctantly of what he suspected would be his destiny, and most often at the prompting of journalists.

The New Yorker

At that point, deeply deflated, he says, it was only at the prompting of a friend that he got the idea of making the sausages on his own.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the prompting of" to clearly indicate that someone's action was directly influenced by another person's suggestion or encouragement. This adds specificity and avoids ambiguity about the cause of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "at the prompting of" when the influence is indirect or uncertain. This phrase implies a direct and intentional influence, so ensure the context supports this.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the prompting of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the instigator or source of an action or decision. As confirmed by Ludwig, it demonstrates direct influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the prompting of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action or decision was made due to someone else's suggestion or encouragement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "on the advice of" and "encouraged by" exist, "at the prompting of" clearly highlights the instigating role of another party. When using this phrase, ensure that the influence is direct and intentional to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prompted by

A shorter, more direct way of saying that something was the cause or reason for an action.

at the suggestion of

Indicates a more casual influence, where someone proposed an idea that was then acted upon.

at someone's urging

Emphasizes the persistent or insistent nature of the encouragement.

on the advice of

Suggests acting based on professional or informed counsel, implying trust in the advice given.

because of someone's encouragement

Directly states that the encouragement was the reason for the action.

on the recommendation of

Similar to "on the advice of" but can also apply to things like products or services.

encouraged by

Highlights the motivating aspect, emphasizing that someone felt bolstered to act.

due to the influence of

Highlights the power someone had over the decision-making process.

inspired by

Implies a more profound influence, often suggesting creativity or enthusiasm as a result.

at the instigation of

Suggests a more active and potentially manipulative influence, where someone initiated the action.

FAQs

How can I use "at the prompting of" in a sentence?

Use "at the prompting of" to show that an action was a direct result of someone else's suggestion or encouragement. For example, "He applied for the job "at the prompting of" his mentor".

What are some alternatives to saying "at the prompting of"?

You can use phrases like "on the advice of", "at the suggestion of", or "encouraged by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "at the prompting of" and "because of"?

"Because of" indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, whereas "at the prompting of" specifically highlights the influence of a person or entity in initiating an action. The latter is more specific about agency.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "at the prompting of"?

Avoid using "at the prompting of" if the influence is vague, indirect, or unintentional. It's best used when someone deliberately suggests or encourages an action that is then taken.