prompting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prompting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are encouraging or initiating a response or action from someone. Example: "The teacher's prompting helped the students to think critically about the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The British peer said the UN Relief and Works Agency had only a finite amount of food and other essential supplies, adding: "We were concerned that over time supplies were running out," prompting the agency and other UN agencies to launch an appeal to get more resources into the area.

The Guardian

· Secondary education was reduced in Turkmenistan by one year, prompting human rights groups to complain of a deliberate attempt to dumb down the population to prevent dissent.

The Guardian

Having followed in to contest the ball, Völler appeared to do all he could to avoid clattering Van Breuckelen in mid-air but an incensed Rijkaard attempted to drag Völler to his feet by the ear, then stamped on his foot, prompting the German to fall to the ground.

The Guardian - Sport

He said such action would be taken if organisations like the BBC or the Savile estate denied liability, prompting lawyers to seek disclosure from the police.

The Guardian

One previous rape charge against Yadav had already been widely reported, prompting criticism of both local authorities and Uber.

The Guardian

"O thou who are close to God, be the middle man between us and God," bellowed the preacher, prompting a noisy chorus of tearful sobs from the crowd in Jamkaran, a 1,000-year-old 1,000-year-old 1,000-year-oldskirts of the holy city of Qom, home to Iran'shrinegions ruling esthelishment.

The Guardian

The menace had been all German, the South Americans' anxiety prompting a huddle just inside the mouth of the tunnel as they sought urgency with the intrusive television cameras shoved away by Martín Demichelis.

The Guardian - Sport

Operational problems with airlines further dented its reputation, prompting a rethink about what the island had to offer anyone who wanted more than to watch England play cricket every four years.

The Guardian - Travel

It's dangerous, it divides communities and it creates stigma to people who are ill, and I think you ought to be ashamed of yourself," she told him, prompting the first applause of the evening.

The Guardian

Miliband appeared waving at the door of the coach later, prompting further screams and cheers.

The Guardian

But another Houston mosque was a target for arsonists in 2011, while in 2006, residents in one suburb mobilised against a plan to build a mosque, claiming that it could become a breeding ground for terrorists and prompting a local farmer to hold pig races on Fridays, a holy day for Muslims.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs if "prompting" feels too mild for the intended impact. For example, "triggering" or "instigating" might be more appropriate in certain contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "prompting" in overly passive constructions, which can weaken the sentence. Instead of "The decision was made, prompting a review", opt for a more direct construction like "The decision prompted a review".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "prompting" is that of a present participle or gerund, often used to indicate that something causes or leads to a particular action or event. Ludwig AI supports this function, providing numerous examples where "prompting" serves as a causal connector.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prompting" functions primarily as a verb form indicating that one action leads to another. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical usage is correct and the phrase is frequently found in news and media contexts. It is crucial to ensure clarity when using "prompting", emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship between events. While alternatives like "leading to" or "triggering" exist, "prompting" offers a direct and efficient way to convey causality in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causing

A general term indicating a direct causal relationship.

triggering

Highlights the initiation or sudden activation of a process or event.

resulting in

Highlights the final outcome or consequence of an action or event.

leading to

Focuses on the consequence or outcome resulting from an action.

sparking

Indicates a sudden burst or initiation of an activity or event.

giving rise to

Emphasizes the creation or emergence of something as a result.

inducing

Suggests persuasion or influence leading to a specific action or state.

instigating

Stresses the act of initiating or provoking an action, often with negative connotations.

motivating

Implies the provision of a reason or incentive for someone to act.

encouraging

Implies giving support or confidence to someone to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "prompting" in a sentence?

"Prompting" is used to show that one action leads to another. For example: "The increasing demand for electric cars is "prompting" manufacturers to invest in battery technology."

What's a good alternative to using "prompting"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "leading to", "triggering", or "causing".

Is it better to say "prompting" or "that prompted"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "prompting" creates a more concise and active sentence. "That prompted" may be used when you want to add more emphasis to the cause-and-effect relationship, however using ""prompting"" usually allows for more direct and efficient phrasing.

What's the nuance between "prompting" and "encouraging"?

"Prompting" implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship, whereas "encouraging" suggests providing support or motivation for an action, and "encouraging" focuses on providing support or motivation.