prompt him

USAGE SUMMARY

"prompt him" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to urge or encourage someone to do something. Example: "The teacher needed to prompt him to answer the question in class." This sentence means that the teacher had to encourage or remind the student to speak up and answer the question.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He can't spit the words out on his own; Ms. Tweed has to prompt him.

The New York Times

Pinsky looked at Sizemore with obvious sympathy, then tried to prompt him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Would his scorn for the Yankees prompt him to find a kindred spirit in the Mets?

The New York Times

One day, I asked Shrum what might prompt him to quit a campaign today.

The New Yorker

Did these terrifying times prompt him to offer a cure that was worse than the disease?

The Economist

But one thing could prompt him to abandon London — limits on who can live here.

The New York Times

When I prompt him about these paternal feelings, he replies with an anecdote.

The Guardian - Music

Eileen thought Murt's mentioning a child might prompt him to ask after her son, Ashleigh.

The New Yorker

McGwire's performance was dreadful enough to prompt him to talk of possible retirement.

The New York Times - Sports

Did Stoddart's angry refusal of Jason's grubby offer prompt him to take more violent action?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He also identified four developments that could threaten "our core values" and prompt him to intervene.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prompt him", consider the specific context to ensure the level of encouragement matches the situation. Use it when a gentle push or reminder is needed rather than forceful coercion.

Common error

While "prompt him" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal documents. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "encourage him", "motivate him", or "stimulate him" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prompt him" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "prompt" is the verb acting upon the object pronoun "him". This action involves encouraging or reminding someone to say or do something. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used in contexts where someone needs a slight push or cue.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prompt him" serves as a transitive verb phrase, designed to encourage or remind an individual towards a specific action or response. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and sees frequent usage across News & Media, Academic and Scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, it’s advisable to consider alternatives like "encourage him" or "motivate him" for more formal settings. Remember, the key is to align the level of encouragement with the situation at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage him

Emphasizes providing support and confidence to inspire action, which is a more general form of prompting.

urge him

Conveys a strong and persuasive appeal to do something.

nudge him

Implies a gentle push or encouragement, less direct than prompting.

prod him

Suggests a more insistent form of encouragement, sometimes implying resistance from the person being prompted.

motivate him

Focuses on providing a reason or incentive to act, broader than a simple prompt.

remind him

Focuses on refreshing someone's memory to initiate action, rather than instigating it.

spur him on

Suggests encouraging someone who is already in motion or making an effort.

cue him

Refers to providing a signal or hint for a specific action or response.

give him a hint

Implies providing a subtle suggestion to guide his action or response.

jog his memory

Specifically aims to stimulate recollection, which may indirectly lead to action.

FAQs

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

You can use "prompt him" in sentences like, "I had to prompt him to remember his lines" or "The interviewer tried to prompt him to reveal more about the project".

What is a good alternative to "prompt him"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "encourage him", "urge him", or "remind him".

What does "prompt him" mean?

"Prompt him" means to encourage, remind, or urge someone to say or do something, especially when they are hesitant or forgetful.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "prompt him"?

The phrase "prompt him" is appropriate when someone requires a gentle push or reminder to speak or act. It is suitable for informal to neutral contexts, but it may need to be replaced with a more formal alternative, like "motivate him", in professional settings.