1. to cause someone to do something or say something
促使（某人做某事或說某事）
The teacher's question prompted a lively discussion.
老師的問題引發了一場熱烈的討論。
His silence prompted me to ask if everything was okay.
他的沉默促使我詢問是否一切安好。
Prompt Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
prompt
verb
快速理解
What does "Prompt" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Prompt"?
「prompt」作為動詞，主要指促使某事發生或促使某人行動，也常用於提示、提醒或協助發言。
- 1
促使、引發
EN: to cause something to happen or someone to do something
翻譯: 促使某事發生或促使某人做某事
- 2
提示、提醒
EN: to help someone, especially a performer, to remember what to say or do
翻譯: 幫助某人（尤指表演者）記起要說的話或要做的事
- 3
鼓勵、激發
EN: to encourage or stimulate a thought, feeling, or action
翻譯: 鼓勵或激發某種想法、感覺或行動
- 4
提問、提示
EN: to say something to help someone continue a conversation or remember something
翻譯: 說些話來幫助某人繼續對話或記起某事
小提醒：注意「prompt」在科技領域常指「命令提示字元」或「輸入提示」，但在一般動詞用法中，核心是「促使」或「提示」的動作，而非單純的「快速」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Prompt" in English）
How to pronounce "Prompt" in English?"Prompt" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Prompt" from YouTube Videos
Geoff Ralston's Intro - Startup Investor School Day 1
Y Combinator
“they may be, they may not be, but we're gonna try to be fairly prompt there and we'll have some snacks out, as you'll see, for people here and we'll have some lukewarm coffee for you.”
(1 out of 3)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Prompt"?How does "Prompt" change by context?
2. to help a speaker who has paused by suggesting the next words
提示（忘詞的說話者）
She forgot her lines, so I had to prompt her from the side of the stage.
她忘了台詞，所以我必須在舞台側邊提示她。
The interviewer prompted the nervous guest with the next question.
採訪者用下一個問題提示緊張的來賓。
3. to cause a thought or feeling to arise
引發（想法或感受）
The old photograph prompted memories of her childhood.
那張舊照片勾起了她童年的回憶。
The news prompted widespread concern among the public.
這則新聞引發了公眾普遍的擔憂。
4. to make a computer system display a message or wait for input
提示（電腦系統顯示訊息或等待輸入）
The command line will prompt you for your password.
命令列會提示你輸入密碼。
A dialog box prompted me to save the file before closing.
一個對話框提示我在關閉前儲存檔案。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Prompt"?How to make natural sentences with "Prompt"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| prompt + someone | 促使/敦促某人 | The incident prompted the government to review its safety regulations. (這起事件促使政府檢討其安全法規。) |
| prompt + someone + to + V | 促使某人做某事 | His words prompted her to reconsider her decision. (他的話促使她重新考慮自己的決定。) |
| be prompted by + something | 由某事所引發 | Her actions were prompted by a genuine concern for others. (她的行動是出於對他人真誠的關切。) |
| prompt + a response/reaction/action | 引發回應/反應/行動 | The new policy prompted a strong reaction from the public. (新政策引發了公眾的強烈反應。) |
| prompt + a question/thought/discussion | 引出問題/想法/討論 | The strange results prompted further investigation. (奇怪的結果引出了進一步的調查。) |
| prompt + an idea/memory | 喚起想法/記憶 | The old song prompted fond memories of his childhood. (那首老歌喚起了他童年的美好回憶。) |
用法說明
How is "Prompt" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Prompt"?
prompt doing vs prompt to do
- prompt + 人 + to do 是最常見的結構，表示「促使某人去做某事」，強調引發一個具體的動作或反應。
- prompt doing 的用法較為少見且正式，通常用於抽象或概括性的情境，表示「引發了某種行為或過程」。
- 在大多數日常及正式寫作中，prompt someone to do something 是首選且不會出錯的結構。
對比範例： EN: The alarming data prompted the government to take immediate action. 翻譯: 這項驚人的數據促使政府立即採取行動。
EN:The scandal prompted a thorough review of company policies.
翻譯:這樁醜聞引發了對公司政策的全面審查。
總結建議
在表達「促使（某人）做某事」時，建議優先使用「prompt + 人 + to + 動詞」的結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Prompt" and similar words?How to choose "Prompt" vs alternatives?
prompt vs urge
「prompt」強調引發立即行動或反應，而「urge」則帶有更強烈的慫恿或催促意味。
prompt vs cause
「prompt」強調直接引發立即反應，而「cause」則指導致某種結果或狀態的普遍原因。
prompt vs motivate
「prompt」側重於引發立即行動，而「motivate」則強調提供持續的動力或理由。
prompt vs induce
「prompt」常用於引發人的行為或反應，而「induce」較正式，常用於引發生理狀態或透過說服達成某事。
口語用法
How is "Prompt" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Prompt"?
引述
在對話中，'prompt' 常用來引述或轉述某人促使某事發生的行為。 EN: She prompted me to speak up in the meeting. 翻譯: 她促使我在會議中發言。
EN:What prompted you to change your career path?
翻譯:是什麼促使你改變了職業道路？
語氣強調
當想強調是某個特定因素或事件直接導致了結果時，會使用 'prompt'。 EN: The sudden rain prompted a quick dash indoors. 翻譯: 突如其來的雨促使大家趕緊衝進室內。
EN:His rude comment prompted an immediate apology from the manager.
翻譯:他粗魯的言論促使經理立刻道歉。
停頓填充
在思考如何表達「導致」或「引發」時，'prompt' 可作為一個比 'cause' 或 'make' 更精確的替換詞，用於填充語句。 EN: The news... well, it prompted a lot of discussion. 翻譯: 那個消息…嗯，它引發了很多討論。
EN:So that incident, it prompted us to review our safety procedures.
翻譯:所以那起事件，它促使我們檢討了安全程序。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，'prompt' 作為動詞使用是完全可以接受的，但需注意其語境通常指「直接且迅速地引發」。若想表達更中性的「導致」，可考慮使用 'lead to', 'result in', 或 'give rise to'。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Prompt"?What fixed phrases with "Prompt" should I remember?
prompt someone to do something
prompt [sb] to do [sth]
促使某人做某事
prompt a response
prompt a [response/reaction/action]
引發回應/反應/行動
prompted by
prompted by [sth]
由...所引發/驅使
prompt a question
prompt a question
引發出一個問題
prompt further [sth]
prompt further [investigation/discussion/etc.]
促使進一步的...
prompt a memory
prompt a [memory/thought]
喚起記憶/想法
prompt immediate [sth]
prompt immediate [action/attention]
需要立即的...
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Prompt"?Which "Prompt" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The teacher gave me a prompt to think about the question.
✓The teacher prompted me to think about the question.
這裡誤將名詞 'prompt'（提示）當作動詞使用。正確的動詞形式是 'prompted'，表示促使或引發某個行動。
×The news prompted him for taking immediate action.
✓The news prompted him to take immediate action.
動詞 'prompt' 後接受詞時，正確的句型是 'prompt someone to do something'，使用不定詞 'to + 動詞原形'，而非介系詞 'for' 加上動名詞。
×The decision was prompt by the recent events.
✓The decision was prompted by the recent events.
在被動語態中，動詞 'prompt' 需要使用過去分詞 'prompted'，而非形容詞 'prompt'（迅速的）。'Prompted by' 是固定用法，表示『由...所引發』。
×The manager prompted the employee to finish the report quickly.
✓The manager urged the employee to finish the report quickly. / The situation prompted the employee to finish the report quickly.
雖然語法正確，但 'prompt' 通常指情境、事件或事物『促使』某人行動，較少用於指人直接『催促』他人。指人直接催促時，使用 'urge', 'ask', 或 'tell' 更為自然。
×The shocking video prompted to reconsider our policy.
✓The shocking video prompted us to reconsider our policy.
動詞 'prompt' 是及物動詞，後面必須接一個受詞（某人或某團體），再接 'to do something'。不能省略受詞直接接不定詞。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Prompt"?What are tense/participle forms of "Prompt"?
prompts(3rd_singular)prompting(present_participle)prompted(past)prompted(past_participle)