prompted a question

USAGE SUMMARY

"prompted a question" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that something has caused or led to a question being asked. For example, "Her unexpected response prompted a question about her intentions." Alternative expressions include "raised a question" and "elicited a question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

This prompted a question: investment grade according to whom?

The New York Times

It has also prompted a question that has been lingering for a month.

The New York Times - Sports

That assertion prompted a question from Councilman Daniel Dromm, who asked whether officers had cataloged the city's Irish, as well.

The New York Times

That prompted a question: Has he made more from the building than he has made from pianos?

The New York Times

That proposal prompted a question from Mr. Bloomberg one day in 2001 when the future mayor was seeking Mr. Newman's support, Ms. Salit recalled.

The New York Times

The speech prompted a question from a reporter, during a session afterward, about whether he was considering an independent run for president in 2004.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Which prompts a question.

The Economist

This prompts a question.

The Guardian

Prompts a question, doesn't it?

Independent

Yet it also prompts a question.

The Economist

But it prompts a question.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prompted a question" to clearly indicate a cause-and-effect relationship where an action or statement leads directly to an inquiry. This phrase works well in analytical writing and reports where the origin of a question is important to highlight.

Common error

Avoid using "prompted a question" excessively in passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound indirect. For example, instead of "A question was prompted by the data", try "The data prompted a question" to make the sentence more active and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prompted a question" functions as a verbal phrase indicating causation. It connects an action, statement, or event to the subsequent raising of a question. This phrase is used to highlight the direct link between cause and effect, a function validated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prompted a question" serves as a clear and effective way to describe the cause of an inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and finds its place in various contexts, including news media and scientific writing. The phrase's versatility, alongside alternatives like "raised an inquiry" or "sparked a query", provides writers with several options to convey the relationship between an event and the subsequent asking of a question. While generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice and focus on active constructions to ensure clarity and engagement in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raised an inquiry

Uses "inquiry" instead of "question", implying a more formal or official nature of the questioning.

sparked a query

Replaces "prompted" with "sparked", suggesting a sudden or immediate arising of the question.

gave rise to a question

Emphasizes the act of something initiating the question.

led to a query

Similar to "gave rise to", but focuses on the path or sequence leading to the question.

elicited a question

More formal; implies drawing out the question from someone or something.

occasioned a question

Implies that the initial action created an opportunity for a question.

instigated a question

Indicates a more deliberate act of causing a question to be asked.

triggered a question

Suggests a strong or automatic reaction, leading to the question.

provoked a question

Carries the connotation of a strong reaction, often implying a challenge.

brought about a question

Focuses on the creation or materialization of the question as a result of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "prompted a question" in a sentence?

You can use "prompted a question" to show that something led to an inquiry. For example, "The new findings "prompted a question" about the methodology used in the study."

What can I say instead of "prompted a question"?

You can use alternatives like "raised an inquiry", "sparked a query", or "gave rise to a question depending on the context.

Is it better to say "led to a question" or "prompted a question"?

Both "led to a question" and "prompted a question" are correct, but "prompted" suggests a more direct and immediate cause, while "led to" can imply a more gradual process.

What's the difference between "prompted a question" and "provoked a question"?

"Provoked a question" often implies a stronger reaction or a more controversial topic that instigates the question, while "prompted a question" is more neutral and simply indicates causation.