prompted by curiosity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prompted by curiosity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action or decision that was motivated by a desire to learn or understand something better. Example: "She decided to explore the abandoned building, prompted by curiosity about its history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But, prompted by curiosity, I decided to embark on a genealogical expedition, and I am now learning details about my lineage that I had never known.

The New York Times

After the viewing, prompted by curiosity, I looked (very casually, just a few minutes' click-around) at news about the Hotshots and turned up an entire realm of activity that's integral to their lives yet is excluded from the movie, and that is at least as interesting regarding them and about their locale and American times at large as anything in the movie.

The New Yorker

After the viewing, prompted by curiosity, I looked (very casually, just a few minutes' click-around) at news about the Hotshots and turned up an entire realm of activity that's integral to their lives yet is excluded from the movie, and that is at least as interesting regarding them — and about their locale and American times at large — as anything in the movie.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Written by scholars of both Dutch and Indian art, the essays in this volume instead demonstrate how Rembrandt’s contact with Mughal painting inspired him to draw in an entirely new, refined style on Asian paper—an approach that was shaped by the Dutch trade in Asia and prompted by the curiosity of a foreign culture.

University of California, Berkeley

Also, like most of my work, this project was prompted by my curiosity to see what would happen if I performed a surprising act in public.

Huffington Post

The fact is that few of my readers are of that sort and so their inquiries are prompted by intellectual curiosity alone.

Huffington Post

Nor were they prompted by an unseemly curiosity in the sense of a temptatio oculorum.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prompted by her own curiosity, however, she opened it, unleashing a plague of evils, fear, distrust, suspicion and labor upon humankind.

The New York Times

You can do it, like Charles Dickens, when you are stuck in composition; or you may be prompted by insomnia, or curiosity, or perversity – or lust.

The Guardian - Books

This investigation had been prompted by Gödel's curiosity concerning the similar denials, in relativity theory and in Kant, of an absolute time.

SEP

Jarre has a question for Snowden upon their next interaction, prompted by THUMP's own curiosity: "I promise next time I talk to him I will ask him if he's been to a rave," he says, laughing.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "prompted by curiosity" with stronger verbs like "motivated", "driven" or "inspired" to emphasize the intensity of the underlying curiosity and its impact on the resulting action.

Common error

Avoid using "prompted by curiosity" when other factors significantly influence the action. If the curiosity is only a minor contributing factor, consider a more nuanced phrase that reflects the complexity of the motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prompted by curiosity" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes the reason or cause behind an action. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in attributing actions to a desire for knowledge or understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prompted by curiosity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions motivated by a desire to know or understand. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts. While "prompted by curiosity" is less frequent than other similar phrases, such as "driven by curiosity", it maintains a consistent presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, ensure that curiosity is the primary driver behind the action to maintain clarity and impact. Be mindful of potential misattribution errors, as this phrase implies a strong causal relationship. Overall, "prompted by curiosity" is a valuable tool for expressing motivation with nuance and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of sheer curiosity

A more direct and simple way of expressing the same idea.

motivated by inquisitiveness

Replaces "curiosity" with "inquisitiveness", emphasizing an active desire to inquire.

sparked by intellectual curiosity

Emphasizes the 'spark' or initial trigger of curiosity.

driven by a thirst for knowledge

Emphasizes the intense desire for knowledge as the driving force.

led by intellectual interest

Highlights the intellectual aspect of the curiosity, suggesting a more thoughtful motivation.

actuated by a curious nature

Highlights the inherent curious disposition of the individual.

inspired by a sense of wonder

Shifts the focus to the feeling of wonder as the source of motivation.

guided by an inquisitive mind

Highlights the role of an inquisitive mind in leading the action.

moved by a desire to explore

Focuses on the exploratory aspect of curiosity.

fueled by a yearning to understand

Emphasizes the deep desire to comprehend as the motivating factor.

FAQs

How can I use "prompted by curiosity" in a sentence?

Use "prompted by curiosity" to show that someone's desire to know or understand something led them to take a specific action. For example, "Prompted by curiosity, she explored the old mansion."

What are some alternatives to "prompted by curiosity"?

You can use alternatives like "motivated by inquisitiveness", "driven by a thirst for knowledge", or "led by intellectual interest" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "prompted by curiosity" or "driven by curiosity"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Driven by curiosity" often suggests a stronger, more intense motivation than "prompted by curiosity", which implies a gentler push.

What's the difference between "prompted by curiosity" and "out of curiosity"?

"Prompted by curiosity" implies that the curiosity directly caused the action, while "out of curiosity" simply states the motivation behind the action without necessarily implying a direct causal link.