prompted to act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prompted to act" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is encouraged or motivated to take action based on a specific stimulus or event. Example: "After receiving the urgent message, she felt prompted to act immediately to resolve the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The unnamed French official was prompted to act after his own passport photo broke the stringent rules.

The Guardian

The people who occupied the power station's chimney in November last year were prompted to act by the highest motives.

The Guardian

Lawmakers were prompted to act after the Supreme Court in 2007 ruled that producers had far more leeway to dictate retail prices.

The New York Times - Sports

But, in the end, the European Union was prompted to act by the spread of anxiety throughout financial markets if Greece's problems were not resolved.

The New York Times

Rodrigues welcomed the arrests, but claimed the authorities had only been prompted to act by the international outrage at Cecil's killing.

The Guardian

Martel was prompted to act as a literary godfather when Harper cited The Guinness Book of Records as his favourite book, and by his failure to recognise the importance of the arts generally.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Noguès was prompt to act on that report and ordered his own subordinate commanders to cease active resistance, pending an armistice that would be arranged the following morning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Quick to grasp the significance of every situation, he was equally prompt to act, and victory was invariably the reward of his bold swiftness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To strengthen the content at shows like these Twitter has also created a third unique offering called Twitter Challenger which presents celebrities with a prompt to act upon and express themselves with, whether that's doing a dance or answering a question.

TechCrunch

However, a Depression score above the higher cut-off point is a "prompt to act" [ 50], i.e. to diagnose a depressive disorder without delay.

BMC Psychiatry

What prompted you to act?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prompted to act" to clearly indicate that a specific event or situation motivated someone to take action. It highlights the cause-and-effect relationship between the prompt and the resulting behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "prompted to act" when the action was merely suggested or advised. This phrase implies a stronger impetus, indicating that the action was a direct response to a compelling reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prompted to act" functions as a causal connector, linking a preceding event or situation with a subsequent action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes a situation where someone is encouraged or motivated to take action based on a specific stimulus or event. Examples from the provided sources illustrate this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prompted to act" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a specific event or situation served as a catalyst for action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It's a versatile phrase, appearing frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific sources, suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives like "motivated to take action" or "encouraged to respond" exist, "prompted to act" specifically emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship. When using this phrase, ensure the action was a direct response to a compelling reason, avoiding its use for mere suggestions or advice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated to take action

Focuses on the internal drive or incentive leading to action; broader than a specific prompt.

encouraged to respond

Highlights the positive influence or persuasion that led to the action, rather than a direct cause.

compelled to react

Implies a sense of obligation or necessity in the action taken, adding a layer of involuntariness.

induced to behave

Suggests the action was a result of external influence or manipulation.

triggered to respond

Focuses on a specific stimulus that initiated the action, often with a sense of immediacy.

incited to perform

Suggests a strong urging or goading that led to the action, possibly implying a negative connotation.

caused to move

A more literal and less nuanced way of saying something influenced action.

influenced to do

A general term indicating some form of sway or effect on the action.

inspired to intervene

Focuses on a positive or uplifting influence that motivated the action, specifically an intervention.

galvanized into action

Implies a sudden and significant stimulus that energizes or motivates immediate action.

FAQs

How can I use "prompted to act" in a sentence?

You can use "prompted to act" to show that someone or something encouraged or motivated a person or a group of people to take action. For example: "The news reports "prompted authorities to act"."

What's the difference between "prompted to act" and "inspired to act"?

"Prompted to act" suggests a direct cause-and-effect relationship, while "inspired to act" implies a more uplifting or motivational influence. A prompt is often a specific event or piece of information, while inspiration is a feeling or idea.

What can I say instead of "prompted to act"?

You can use alternatives like "motivated to take action", "encouraged to respond", or "compelled to react" depending on the context.

Is "prompted to act" formal or informal?

"Prompted to act" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing or speech.