prompt a reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prompt a reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to encourage or request a response from someone. Example: "The email was designed to prompt a reply from the recipients regarding their attendance at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was sufficient to prompt a reply from spokesman Jay Carney, who suggested that the plaintiffs also pay attention to the First Amendment protecting free speech.

Independent

If, for example, the patient says, "I feel dreadful, and you're no help," instead of rising to the bait with, "This is no picnic, you know," or even, "I'm doing my best," (which might prompt a reply, "Well, that's not good enough"), you could respond with, "How bad do you feel?" or, "What's bothering you the most?" You, the future survivor, may also experience anger.

The New York Times - Health

"Peacefully grant the State of Alabama to withdraw from the United States of America and create its own NEW government," read one, which garnered the then-necessary amount of signatures to prompt a reply from the White House.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His message prompted a reply from the Belgian decathlete Thomas van der Plaetsen, who said: "Join the club".

The Guardian - Sport

This prompted a reply from Brendan Cox, whose wife was murdered by a far-right terrorist in June.

The Guardian

That speech prompted a reply of sorts by Vice PresidentJoseph R. Biden Jr. in a letter published in The Des Moines Register.

The New York Times

Another of Bristow's tweets stated "bet the rugby boys are ok" – prompting a reply from Brian Moore, the former England hooker who himself was abused as a child.

The Guardian

Lawyers wrote letters on her behalf, prompting a reply from a lawyer for the family of Jonathan Larson, the author and composer of "Rent".

The New York Times

One tweet, which stated "bet the rugby boys are ok", prompted a reply from Brian Moore, the former England rugby player who himself was abused as a child.

The Guardian

This is where she is irresistible - addictive - so that once you pick up one of her novels, you cannot put it down". This prompted a reply from biographer Mark Bostridge who accused Callil of skating over an essential component in Némirovsky tragedy.

The Guardian

That prompted a reply from David Mellor, home office minister in 1983, arguing that her proposal that depictions of explicit acts of human urination or excretion be banned would outlaw "a picture of a baby urinating in a nappy advertisement; or a photograph of the mannequin in Brussels which serves as a fountain".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prompt a reply", ensure that the context clearly indicates what action or statement is intended to elicit the response. For instance, "The controversial statement was designed to prompt a reply from the opposition."

Common error

Avoid using "prompt a reply" without specifying the direct cause or trigger. For example, instead of saying "The situation prompted a reply", specify "The urgent request for assistance prompted a reply from the emergency services."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prompt a reply" functions as a verb phrase where "prompt" acts as a verb causing or encouraging an action, and "a reply" is the noun representing the response. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showcasing examples where actions or statements are designed to elicit a reaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prompt a reply" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the act of encouraging or causing a response. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and formal communications. The phrase is considered neutral in tone and is suitable for diverse audiences. While alternatives like "elicit a response" or "encourage a reply" exist, "prompt a reply" remains a clear and effective choice. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the direct cause intended to elicit the response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elicit a response

Uses a more formal verb to convey a similar meaning of obtaining a reaction.

invite a response

Suggests a more welcoming or encouraging tone in seeking a reply.

encourage a reply

Focuses on the act of motivating someone to respond.

stimulate a reaction

Implies a more active and potentially stronger instigation of a response.

trigger a response

Indicates that something automatically initiates a reply.

call forth a response

A more literary way of saying to evoke a response.

draw a response

Highlights the act of attracting or pulling out a reply.

provoke a response

Suggests causing a possibly strong or controversial reply.

generate a response

Implies a natural or automatic creation of a reply.

motivate a response

Focuses on providing someone the reasoning to reply.

FAQs

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

You can use "prompt a reply" to indicate that something encourages or causes someone to respond. For example, "His comments were intended to "prompt a reply" from the audience".

What are some alternatives to "prompt a reply"?

Some alternatives to "prompt a reply" include "elicit a response", "invite a response", or "encourage a reply". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "prompt a reply" or "prompt a response"?

Both "prompt a reply" and "prompt a response" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific context.

What's the difference between "prompt a reply" and "demand a reply"?

"Prompt a reply" suggests encouraging or causing a response, while "demand a reply" implies a forceful request or expectation of a response. The former is more neutral, while the latter is more assertive.