prompt a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prompt a discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to initiating or encouraging a conversation or dialogue on a particular topic. Example: "The recent events in the community have prompted a discussion about public safety measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Then ask students why they placed themselves where they did to prompt a discussion.

Stanford University

If anything, they argue, such a ruling could prompt a discussion about whether Romney's health-care overhaul, upon which Obama's law was largely modeled, is unconstitutional.

The Washington Post

The review did prompt a discussion among the editors, Mr. Sturgeon said, which was why they asked Mr. McGinn to take out a parody of Mr. Honderich's writing style.

The New York Times - Books

Miliband's aides insisted his fury with the Daily Mail was about his personal desire to defend his father's reputation and to try to prompt a discussion on how political debate is conducted.

The Guardian

Here are some other things to look for during the debate: TAXES: Mr. Romney's new tax proposals, unveiled Wednesday, for lower individual rates should prompt a discussion among the candidates about whose plan would benefit Americans the most.

The New York Times

At HBO, for example, executives constantly track the company's success rate in bidding for new shows from filmmakers and use that measure to prompt a discussion among managers throughout the business about changes in the competitive marketplace that could affect their strategy.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The visit to the abandoned house in Porto, for instance, prompted a discussion about squatting: a common but little discussed practice in the city.

The Guardian

That prompted a discussion of what those standards could be.

The Washington Post

This prompted a discussion, including color-coded maps, about local species of cricket frogs.

The New Yorker

One-third of adults said that drug advertising prompted a discussion with their physician.

The New York Times

The letter prompted a discussion, but the Shakur building request went unanswered.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, "prompt a discussion" works well in conclusions or recommendations to invite further exploration of a subject.

Common error

Avoid using "prompt a discussion" when a decision has already been made and no further input is required. In such cases, it can create false expectations of open dialogue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prompt a discussion" functions as a verb phrase, where "prompt" acts as a transitive verb meaning to initiate or encourage, and "a discussion" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatical and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prompt a discussion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the initiation of a conversation or debate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is prevalent across news, academic, and scientific contexts. Related phrases like "initiate a discussion" and "spark a debate" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. When using this phrase, ensure the context is suitable for open dialogue and that the intended tone is gentle encouragement rather than forceful instigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiate a discussion

Replaces "prompt" with a more direct synonym, "initiate", emphasizing the commencement of the discussion.

spark a debate

Uses "spark" instead of "prompt", suggesting a more energetic and potentially controversial start to the discussion.

foster a dialogue

Emphasizes the creation of a reciprocal conversation rather than just initiating it.

stimulate conversation

Replaces "prompt a discussion" by concentrating on the stimulation of conversation.

encourage deliberation

Focuses on encouraging careful and thorough consideration rather than a simple discussion.

trigger a discourse

Implies a more formal and structured conversation or exchange of ideas.

instigate a conversation

Similar to "initiate", but suggests a slightly more active or intentional start.

generate a dialogue

Highlights the creation or production of a dialogue as a result of the initial action.

set off a debate

Similar to "spark", but perhaps suggesting a more immediate and forceful reaction.

give rise to conversation

Emphasizes that the conversation emerges or originates from a particular cause or event.

FAQs

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

You can use "prompt a discussion" to indicate that something has initiated or encouraged a conversation. For example, "The new policy changes "prompt a discussion" among employees about its impact."

What are some alternatives to "prompt a discussion"?

Alternatives include "initiate a discussion", "spark a debate", or "foster a dialogue", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "prompt a discussion"?

It's appropriate when you want to suggest the start of a conversation, debate or dialogue, particularly when introducing a topic or issue that merits further exploration and input from multiple parties.

Is there a difference between "prompt a discussion" and "provoke a discussion"?

"Prompt a discussion" implies gently initiating a conversation, while "provoke a discussion" suggests a more forceful or controversial initiation that might lead to strong reactions or disagreements. Choose based on the intended effect.