prompted: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal / Neutral
Quick answer
What does “prompted” mean?
Caused someone to do or say something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Caused someone to do or say something; incited an action or reaction.
Also refers to something done without delay; punctual or on time. In computing, to display a message or symbol requesting user input.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling conventions apply to the root word 'prompt'.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in everyday American speech; common in both academic and professional contexts in the UK.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “prompted” in a Sentence
NP prompted NP (The news prompted an outcry)NP prompted NP to INF (The alarm prompted us to leave)NP prompted by NP (Action prompted by fear)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prompted” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The scandal prompted a ministerial resignation.
- She was prompted by loyalty to defend her colleague.
American English
- The shooting prompted a national debate on gun control.
- I was prompted to write this after reading your article.
adverb
British English
- He answered promptedly, without a moment's hesitation. (Rare/Archaic)
American English
- She arrived promptedly at nine. (Rare/Archaic)
adjective
British English
- The prompted response from the council was surprisingly swift.
- Actors rarely need prompted lines in modern theatre.
American English
- Her reply was not prompted; it was entirely spontaneous.
- A prompted password reset is required every 90 days.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for cause-and-effect in reports: 'The data breach prompted a review of security protocols.'
Academic
Common in describing causality: 'The experiment's results prompted a new hypothesis.'
Everyday
Used for personal reactions: 'His comment prompted a lot of laughter.'
Technical
In computing: 'The system prompted the user for a password.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prompted”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prompted”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prompted”
- Using 'prompted' to mean 'quick' as an adjective (e.g., 'a prompted reply' is incorrect; use 'a prompt reply'). Confusing with 'promoted'. Using without a clear agent: 'It prompted to think' is wrong; must be 'It prompted me to think'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but leans towards formal. It's perfectly acceptable in academic, business, and news writing, and also in everyday speech.
Rarely. It is a transitive verb and typically requires an object (what was caused). The passive form 'was prompted' is very common.
'Prompted' often suggests a more immediate, direct, or suggestive cause, often leading to a decision or verbal response. 'Caused' is broader and can refer to any cause-effect relationship.
Only indirectly. The adjective 'prompt' means 'on time.' The verb 'to prompt' and its past form 'prompted' come from the same Latin root but have evolved to mean 'to incite or cause.'
Caused someone to do or say something.
Prompted: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprɒmptɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈprɑːmptɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly; often part of phrasal constructions like 'prompted and guided'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a theatre PROMPTer who causes an actor to remember a line immediately. 'Prompted' means you were caused to act or speak.
Conceptual Metaphor
CAUSE IS A PUSH (Something prompts you forward into action).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'prompted' INCORRECTLY?