prompted
prompted — verb
- promptedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- prompteds3rd person singular
- prompteding-ing form
- promptededpast simple
1. to cause something to begin or take place — for example, a question that starts
to cause something to begin or take place — for example, a question that starts a discussion, a noise that sets off an alarm, or a memory that starts a train of thought.
The sudden earthquake prompted an immediate evacuation of the building.
prompt + noun phrase: prompts an action/event
Diya's question about the budget prompted a long debate among the board members.
prompt + noun phrase: causes discussion
The teacher's comment prompted the students to look more carefully at the data.
A strong smell of gas prompted Kwame to call the emergency services immediately.
The new safety regulations were prompted by a series of accidents at the factory.
- prevent
to stop something from happening
文法句型
prompt + noun phrase
prompt + noun + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive voice (be prompted by) to indicate what caused an event. The subject is typically an event, observation, or fact — not a person acting intentionally.
常見錯誤
2. to give a person a compelling reason to act or speak in a certain way — for inst
to give a person a compelling reason to act or speak in a certain way — for instance, a troubling memory that makes someone speak up, a problem that forces a decision, or advice that shifts a plan.
Minh's childhood experience prompted him to become a doctor and work in rural hospitals.
prompt + person + to-infinitive (life decision)
Seeing the old photographs prompted Emre to ask his grandmother about her youth.
The landlord's sudden visit prompted the tenants to clean the apartment quickly.
What prompted you to choose this university over the others you applied to?
Hao's comment about the unfair rules prompted Putri to speak up at the meeting.
- discourage
to make someone less likely to act
文法句型
prompt + someone + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Subject is often an event, observation, or statement — not a person acting deliberately ('His mother prompted him to study' is borderline; use 'encouraged' for deliberate persuasion). The object is always a person or group who then takes action.
常見錯誤
3. to quietly give an actor or performer the next word or phrase they have forgotte
to quietly give an actor or performer the next word or phrase they have forgotten, so the show can continue without interruption.
The stage manager had to prompt the lead actor twice during the first act.
passive: had to prompt + someone
When Pedro forgot his line, the director whispered from the side to prompt him.
New actors often need someone to prompt them during rehearsals until they feel confident.
The audience barely noticed when the actress was prompted because her recovery was so smooth.
- cue
can mean the same thing, but 'cue' is also a signal to begin, not just to recover a forgotten line
文法句型
prompt + someone
用法筆記
Most common in theatre and performance contexts. Unlike sense 2, the person doing the prompting ('the prompter') does this as a job, and the reason is forgetfulness, not motivation.
4. to write a request or question for an AI tool (such as a chatbot or art generato
to write a request or question for an AI tool (such as a chatbot or art generator) in ordinary language, so the tool replies with the content you want.
Caio prompted the AI tool with words describing a sunset over a mountain lake.
prompt + AI tool + with + description
Leo prompted the chatbot to write a short poem about autumn leaves in English.
Students learned how to prompt language models effectively to get better essay outlines.
The designer prompted the AI several times until it produced a fitting logo.
- ask
more general; 'prompt' implies a structured instruction to an AI system
文法句型
prompt + AI system + with + noun phrase
用法筆記
A very new sense that has emerged with recent AI tools. Common in technology writing and among AI users. The object is usually a named AI tool or system ('the chatbot', 'the AI', 'DALL-E').
常見錯誤
prompted — adjective
- promptedpositive
- more promptedcomparative
- most promptedsuperlative
1. happening or done quickly when needed, without unnecessary waiting; describing a
happening or done quickly when needed, without unnecessary waiting; describing a person who acts or arrives at the agreed time.
The hotel staff gave a prompt response to the guest's complaint about the noisy room.
prompt + noun: prompt response
Tendai is always prompt for appointments, arriving at least five minutes early.
prompt for [event]: punctual
The company is known for its prompt delivery service, usually shipping orders the same day.
Henry was prompt to apologize after accidentally breaking his neighbour's garden pot.
A prompt reply to a job application shows the candidate is serious and organised.
文法句型
prompt + noun
be + prompt + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Can describe both actions ('prompt delivery') and people ('prompt to reply'). When describing people, it overlaps with 'punctual' but is broader — it also covers quickness in responding, not just arrival time.
常見錯誤
prompted — noun
1. a visible symbol or short text notice displayed by a computer to indicate it exp
a visible symbol or short text notice displayed by a computer to indicate it expects the user to type a command or provide information.
Type your file name at the command prompt and press the Enter key.
at the prompt: phrase for input location
Eitan saw a blinking prompt on screen and knew the system was ready.
The old operating system displayed a simple dollar sign as its default prompt.
When the prompt appears, type your password and the computer will open your files.
The installer showed a prompt asking whether the user wanted to restart the computer now.
- command line
specifically the text-based interface, not the symbol itself
文法句型
prompt + noun
at the prompt
用法筆記
In modern graphical interfaces, 'prompt' often refers to a dialog box or message asking for input. In command-line contexts, it is the symbol ($, %, >) itself. Distinguish from sense 2 (actor's cue) by context — computing vs. theatre.
常見錯誤
2. a whispered word or phrase supplied to a performer whose memory has failed mid-s
a whispered word or phrase supplied to a performer whose memory has failed mid-scene, allowing the show to continue without disruption.
The young actress forgot her lines and needed a quiet prompt from the stage manager.
need a prompt: common collocation
During the school play, Leo's loud prompt was heard by the audience too.
A good prompt should be soft so only the actor on stage hears it.
Diya smiled gratefully when she heard the prompt and continued her speech without a pause.
- cue
broader — a cue can be any signal to start; a prompt specifically helps someone who has forgotten
文法句型
give someone a prompt
need a prompt
用法筆記
Used mainly in theatre and performance contexts. The word 'cue' is more common in modern theatre, but 'prompt' specifically refers to the words given when someone forgets, whereas a 'cue' is a signal to begin.
3. a theatre employee who stays near the performers and feeds them their forgotten
a theatre employee who stays near the performers and feeds them their forgotten lines quietly during a show.
The prompt sat in a small box at stage front, script open on her lap.
the prompt: role as subject
Putri worked as a prompt for two years before she started directing her own plays.
work as a prompt: profession usage
Without the prompt's quiet voice, many amateur performances would fall apart on stage.
The prompt must know every role in the play to help any actor who hesitates.
- prompter
more common in American English for the person
文法句型
work as a prompt
the prompt + verb
用法筆記
This sense refers to a role or person, not the words. In British theatre, 'the prompt' (or 'prompter') is a specific job. In American English, 'prompter' is more common for this role.