to serve as a prompt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to serve as a prompt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that acts as a cue or stimulus for action or thought. Example: "The teacher provided a question to serve as a prompt for the students' discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

These wait times are likely to serve as a prompt to consider care elsewhere for some Canadian patients [ 2].

Globalization and Health

Place two pins level with the base of the zipper, to serve as a prompt to cease sewing here, as you'll only be sewing up to this point.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was allowed to return to Thailand in 1976 to serve as a Buddhist monk, prompting new demonstrations by pro-democracy protesters.

The New York Times

The downfalls he has witnessed since leaving Afghanistan have prompted him to serve as a guide, advocate and interpreter for Afghans in Istanbul, a major way station between their conflict-ridden homeland and the promise of the West.

Los Angeles Times

Absent a strong prompt in Lauren Green's earpiece, Fox could have used a vaudevillian cane to serve as an off-camera hook.

Huffington Post

He would peer at them through a loupe, and the images would serve as a prompt to his memory.

The New Yorker

It is a pity that the biographies and bibliographies come right at the end as the best pieces here serve as a prompt to find or rediscover the writers' other works.

The Guardian - Books

The framework would serve as a prompt to ensure that minority perspectives are represented and all relevant concerns are considered.

BMC Public Health

Scores ≥4 should serve as a prompt to consider the possible presence of an anxiety disorder (while the probability is still relatively low), whereas scores ≥10 serve best as a prompt to pursue a clinical diagnostic workup for anxiety disorder immediately (as the probability is relatively high).

BMC Psychiatry

ACCs send the providers written notification of patient participation in the program and completion; this may serve as a prompt for the provider to continue communication regarding management of the child's asthma.

Health promotion practice

The checklist developed from the results should serve as a prompt for researchers and practitioners to overtly consider measurement properties in their exercise and sports science practice.

Sports Medicine - Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to serve as a prompt" when you want to indicate that something is intended to encourage or remind someone to do something. For clarity, ensure the context makes it clear what action the prompt is intended to initiate.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions when using "to serve as a prompt". Ensure the sentence clearly identifies what or who is being prompted and who or what is providing the prompt for better clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to serve as a prompt" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intended function or purpose of something. Ludwig AI underlines the correctness and usability of the phrase, meaning its function is well-recognized and accepted in English writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to serve as a prompt" is a purpose connector used to indicate the intended function of something to encourage or remind an action. It is considered grammatically correct and usable, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "to act as a cue" or "to function as a trigger", depending on the desired nuance. When using "to serve as a prompt", ensure the sentence clearly identifies what is being prompted for optimal clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to act as a cue

Replaces "serve as a prompt" with "act as a cue", focusing on the signaling aspect.

to function as a trigger

Substitutes "prompt" with "trigger", emphasizing the initiation of an action or response.

to provide a stimulus for

Replaces "prompt" with "stimulus", focusing on the stimulation of action.

to work as a reminder

Emphasizes the role of reminding someone of something, instead of initiating an action.

to serve to motivate

Simplifies the structure to focus on the motivational aspect.

to be designed as an instigation

Changes the verb and noun, focusing on the design and instigating nature.

to offer an impetus for

Uses "impetus" instead of "prompt", highlighting the driving force aspect.

to be useful as a catalyst

Uses "catalyst" to emphasize the accelerating effect on a process.

to lend itself to suggesting

Emphasizes the suggestive nature, less direct than a prompt.

to contribute to initiating

Highlights the contribution to initiation, rather than the primary cause.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to serve as a prompt" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "to function as a stimulus" or "to provide an impetus for". These options add a layer of professional precision to your writing.

What are some alternatives to "to serve as a prompt" in casual conversation?

In casual settings, you can opt for simpler phrases like "to act as a cue" or "to work as a reminder", which are more conversational and easily understood.

Is it correct to say "to serve like a prompt" instead of "to serve as a prompt"?

While "to serve like a prompt" might be understood, "to serve as a prompt" is the grammatically correct and more widely accepted phrasing. The "as" clarifies the role or function being described.

How does "to serve as a prompt" differ from "to prompt"?

"To prompt" directly implies causing or encouraging an action. "To serve as a prompt" indicates something is designed or intended to cause that action, suggesting a more indirect or passive influence.