prompts a question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prompts a question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that raises curiosity or leads to further inquiry. Example: "The unexpected results of the experiment prompts a question about the validity of our initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Jeff Wise's recent piece about his obsession with the disappearance, almost a year ago, of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 prompts a question: Which is more chilling, the fact that a Boeing 777 could vanish without a trace, or the countless hours cable-news networks spent covering the story?

The New Yorker

By Andrea DenHoed March 1, 2015 Jeff Wise's recent piece about his obsession with the disappearance, almost a year ago, of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 prompts a question: Which is more chilling, the fact that a Boeing 777 could vanish without a trace, or the countless hours cable-news networks spent covering the story?

The New Yorker

Which prompts a question.

The Economist

Prompts a question, doesn't it?

Independent

This prompts a question.

The Guardian

But it prompts a question.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

This prompted a question: investment grade according to whom?

The New York Times - Magazine

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

Pornography was rampant, prompting a question Mr. Shata had never heard in Egypt: Is oral sex lawful?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prompts a question" when you want to highlight that a specific observation, event, or statement naturally leads to inquiry. It's effective in analytical writing to introduce points needing further exploration.

Common error

Avoid using "prompts a question" in very basic or obvious situations where simpler phrasing like "raises a question" or just directly stating the question would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prompts a question" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce an inquiry or point of discussion that arises naturally from a particular situation, statement, or observation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prompts a question" is a grammatically sound and functional expression used to introduce an inquiry or highlight a point that needs further exploration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news and media contexts and serves to invite deeper thought or investigation. While alternatives like "raises a question" or "leads to a question" exist, "prompts a question" is particularly useful when emphasizing a subtle or indirect inspiration for the question. Use it judiciously to enhance analytical writing and avoid overuse in simplistic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raises a question

Changes the verb from "prompts" to "raises", offering a slightly more direct way to indicate the origin of a question.

gives rise to a question

Emphasizes the emergence or origination of the question as a result of a specific situation or statement.

leads to a question

Focuses on the sequential relationship where something initiates or guides the inquiry.

begs the question

Implies that the statement or situation inevitably leads to a particular question, often one that is fundamental or obvious.

invites a question

Suggests that the situation or statement is suggestive and welcomes further investigation through inquiry.

poses a question

Highlights the act of presenting or introducing a question for consideration.

sparks a question

Emphasizes the sudden or immediate generation of a question.

triggers a question

Suggests that something specific acts as a catalyst to initiate the question.

calls for a question

Indicates that something necessitates or demands a question as a response.

engenders a question

Highlights the generative aspect, emphasizing how something creates or brings about a question.

FAQs

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

Use "prompts a question" to introduce an inquiry that naturally arises from a particular situation, observation, or statement. For instance: "The unexpected results "prompt a question" about the validity of our initial hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "prompts a question"?

You can use alternatives like "raises a question", "gives rise to a question", or "leads to a question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "prompts a question" or "raises a question"?

Both "prompts a question" and "raises a question" are grammatically correct and widely accepted. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference. "Prompts" may suggest a more indirect or subtle initiation of the question, while "raises" is more direct.

What's the difference between "prompts a question" and "begs the question"?

"Prompts a question" simply means that something inspires or leads to an inquiry. "Begs the question", however, is often misused. Properly, it describes an argument that assumes the conclusion it's trying to prove, creating a circular reasoning fallacy. Be careful when using "begs the question".