that prompted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that prompted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a cause or reason for a particular action or response. Example: "The unexpected news that prompted her to change her plans took everyone by surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Has that prompted any humility?

The Guardian

It was the blueberry jam that prompted the hesitation.

The New York Times

We reached the damaged section that prompted the road's closure.

The New York Times - Travel

It was his calls that prompted the paperwork search.

Vice

We provided the information that prompted the investigations.

Huffington Post

It is this opaqueness that prompted our review.

Human Resources for Health

That prompted a legal fight.

The New York Times

That prompted the timeout by Self.

The New York Times

That prompted me to do some research.

The New York Times

That prompted a detour through Olympics analysis.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That prompted an outcry from international human-rights groups.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that prompted" to clearly establish a cause-and-effect relationship between events or ideas in your writing. This helps create a logical flow and makes your arguments more convincing.

Common error

Avoid using "that prompted" in overly passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Instead, ensure the subject performing the prompting action is clearly identified to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that prompted" functions as a relative clause introducing information that specifies the cause or reason behind a particular action or event. It serves to connect a preceding noun or noun phrase to its consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that prompted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for establishing cause-and-effect relationships. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in scientific and formal writing. While "that prompted" maintains a neutral register, ensuring clarity by explicitly identifying the prompting subject is a best practice. Alternatives such as "that triggered" or "that led to" can be used to achieve slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that triggered

Replaces 'prompted' with 'triggered', emphasizing a more immediate and direct causation.

that led to

Focuses on the sequential aspect, highlighting how one thing led to another.

that caused

A direct synonym, emphasizing a clear causal link.

that resulted in

Highlights the outcome or consequence of the initial action or event.

which induced

A more formal alternative to 'prompted', suggesting a more significant influence.

that spurred

Emphasizes the motivational aspect, suggesting encouragement or incitement.

that initiated

Focuses on the beginning or start of a process or action.

that gave rise to

Highlights the emergence or creation of something as a result.

that brought about

Emphasizes the act of causing something to happen or exist.

that occasioned

A less common but still valid alternative, suggesting a specific circumstance led to the result.

FAQs

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

Use "that prompted" to connect an action or event to its direct cause. For example, "The sudden change in weather "that prompted" us to cancel the picnic."

What are some alternatives to "that prompted"?

You can use alternatives like "that triggered", "that led to", or "that caused" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "that prompted" or "which prompted"?

Both "that prompted" and "which prompted" can be grammatically correct, but "that prompted" is generally preferred in restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning), while "which prompted" is used in non-restrictive clauses (adds extra information but isn't essential).

What's the difference between "that prompted" and "that influenced"?

"That prompted" implies a direct causation, whereas "that influenced" suggests a more subtle or indirect effect. "That prompted" indicates something was the immediate cause, while "that influenced" means something had an impact on the outcome.