unprompted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unprompted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or response that occurs without being prompted or initiated by someone else. Example: "Her unprompted compliment caught me off guard and made my day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm so glad you asked me that –it's genuinely grassroots: unprompted, social-media followers are taking independent action.

The Guardian

When Lambert claps hands, the audience clap with him, unprompted.

The Guardian - Music

"You embody the ossification of this place into a corporate structure," one close peer said to me, unprompted, in our first chat after my getting the job.

The Guardian

"I appreciate the support that party members have pledged to me unprompted in the past week," he said.

The Guardian

If manufacturers do not make the change unprompted, then a nudge from the regulators might be expected.

The Economist

Unprompted, he offered £15m ($24m) to save the pictures.Selling the Zurbaráns might have raised some quick cash, but the castle, which is far too big for the bishop, was still a financial burden for the church.

The Economist

The finitude of forests ReprintsIt is an abnormally heavy-handed approach, one unprompted by any mass disturbances (recent anonymous calls on the internet for a Chinese "jasmine revolution" hardly count).

The Economist

On Monday Mr Biden admitted, unprompted: "We did such a good job in shutting down the Caribbean and [with] Plan Colombia that it was like squeezing a water balloon.

The Economist

But such gloomy views are seldom offered unprompted.

The Economist

Mr Skerry of Boston College notes that in many interviews with border agents, all say of migrants, unprompted: "in their shoes, I'd cross"—whereas Boston cops do not say that, if poor, they would steal.

The Economist

In many ways, it symbolised the rebirth of the business: incoming managers still chuckle at the look of disbelief that passed over the faces of their colleagues at the pre-demerger British Gas when they heard the name.The card has provided the business with a new brand which (says Mark Clare, the finance director) comes second only to Barclaycard in unprompted awareness tests.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unprompted" to emphasize the genuineness and self-initiated nature of an action or statement, especially when highlighting independent thought or behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "unprompted" when a response is simply quick or immediate. "Unprompted" specifically means without any prior request or suggestion, not just fast response time.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unprompted" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something was done or said without any external influence or request. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "unprompted" functions primarily as an adjective to describe actions or statements made without any prior encouragement or request. As Ludwig confirms, "unprompted" is grammatically correct and used across a wide range of contexts, most notably in news and media. The term highlights the genuine and self-initiated nature of an action, emphasizing its independence. While synonyms such as "spontaneously" and "voluntarily" exist, "unprompted" specifically indicates the absence of external prompting. Using "unprompted" effectively involves recognizing its connotation of independent action and avoiding its misuse in contexts where simple speed or immediacy is meant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spontaneously

Emphasizes the sudden and impulsive nature of the action, suggesting it arose from internal impulse rather than external cue.

voluntarily

Highlights the willingness and free choice involved, indicating the action was done of one's own accord.

without being asked

Directly states the absence of a request or invitation, focusing on the lack of external initiation.

of one's own accord

Emphasizes the self-initiated nature of the action, implying personal motivation and autonomy.

on their own initiative

Stresses the proactive and independent nature of the action, suggesting resourcefulness and self-direction.

by oneself

Highlights the independent nature of the action or decision.

out of the blue

Implies the unexpectedness of the action or statement, highlighting its lack of predictability or external cause.

without solicitation

Similar to "without being asked", but has a more formal tone.

freely

Focuses on the absence of constraints or coercion, suggesting the action was performed without any external pressure.

naturally

Indicates that the action or statement occurred as a normal or expected response, without artifice or prompting.

FAQs

How can I use "unprompted" in a sentence?

You can use "unprompted" to describe actions or statements that occur without any prior prompting or encouragement. For example, "She offered an unprompted apology" or "The audience clapped, "spontaneously", after the performance."

What does "unprompted" mean?

"Unprompted" means done or said without someone asking or encouraging you to do it. It implies an action that comes from one's own initiative.

What are some synonyms for "unprompted"?

Synonyms for "unprompted" include "spontaneous", "voluntary", "impulsive", and "without being asked".

Is it correct to say 'an unprompted response'?

Yes, "an unprompted response" is grammatically correct. It means a response that was given without any prior questioning or suggestion.