What is prompt? Pronunciation and usage in English

prompt means . Learn how to pronounce and use prompt through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of prompt

promptverb

/prɒm(p)t/
Definition & pronunciation of prompt

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "prompt." Here's a breakdown with different approaches:

1. The Most Common & Standard Pronunciation:

  • ˈprɒmpt (This is generally considered the most widely accepted pronunciation)

    • ˈprɒmpt – Listen to this: https://youglish.com/pronunciation/uk/prompt (This shows you how native speakers actually say it)

    • Breakdown:

      • pr – Like the beginning of "pray"
      • o – A short, open “o” sound, like in “hot” or “not.” (Don't say “o” like in "bone").
      • mp – Like "mp" in "lamp"

2. Slightly More Formal/British Pronunciation:

  • ˈprɒmpt (Very similar to the first one, but a little more emphasis on the first syllable)

Key things to avoid:

  • Don't say "prompt" like "prompt-tee" or "prompt-y." This is a very common mistake.
  • Don't overemphasize the "p." It’s a softer "p" sound.

Resources for Hearing it:

  • YouGlish: https://youglish.com/pronunciation/prompt - This is great because it shows you how the word is used in real sentences spoken by native speakers.
  • Google Translate: You can type "prompt" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon to hear the pronunciation.

To help me tailor the explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • Are you looking for a British or American pronunciation?

Usage and examples with the word prompt in English

Let's break down how to use the word "prompt" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (To Encourage or Remind)

  • Meaning: To encourage someone to do something; to remind them of something they'd forgotten; to give someone a cue.
  • Examples:
    • "The teacher prompted the student to answer the question." (Encouraged)
    • "I prompted him to apologize." (Encouraged)
    • "She prompted me to think about my goals." (Reminded)
    • "The flashing light prompted him to stop the car." (Gave a cue)
    • “He was prompted to step down by his board.” (Compelled)

2. As a Noun (A Cue or Reminder)

  • Meaning: A signal, piece of information, or cue that triggers a response or action.
  • Examples:
    • "The prompt for the crossword puzzle was 'Sunset'." (The clue)
    • "He relied on a mental prompt to remember the name." (An internal reminder)
    • "The stage director gave the actors a prompt when they forgot their lines." (A cue whispered to the actor)
    • “She used a prompt list to help her remember everything she needed to do.” (A list of reminders)

3. In Artificial Intelligence (AI) - The Most Current Usage)

  • Meaning: This is hugely important right now. A "prompt" is the text (or sometimes image or audio) input you give to an AI model (like ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) to get it to generate a response. Think of it as your instruction to the AI.
  • Examples:
    • “Here’s my prompt: ‘Write a short story about a cat who discovers a portal to another dimension.’”
    • “I used a complex prompt to get the AI to create a realistic image.”
    • "The quality of the AI's output depends heavily on the prompt."

4. Less Common Uses (but worth knowing)

  • Prompting (as a verb - less frequent): To cause something to happen; to initiate or trigger. (Example: "The rain prompted a cancellation of the outdoor event.")
  • Promptly: (Adverb) Immediately; without delay. (Example: "He arrived promptly at 9:00 AM.")

Tips for Using "Prompt" Effectively:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "prompt" changes depending on the situation. Pay attention to how it's used around you.
  • Distinguish between Verb and Noun: Be mindful of whether you're doing something to prompt someone or referring to the thing that serves as the prompt.
  • AI Prompting is a Skill: If you're working with AI, learning how to craft effective prompts is becoming a valuable skill. Be clear, specific, and experiment with different wording.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "prompt"? (e.g., "I'm writing a story," "I'm talking about AI," "I need to use it in a sentence about encouraging someone.")

Synonyms for the word prompt

Practice with vocabulary prompt

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. A technical issue might _____ users to restart the application.
  2. Her quick thinking and _____ action prevented a major data loss.
  3. The new policy will _____ all employees to update their security passwords regularly.
  4. The manager offered some constructive _____ on how to improve the presentation.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words can describe something that initiates or causes an action? a) deter b) incite c) hinder d) prompt e) instigate

  2. The team's _____ response to the client's urgent request was highly praised. a) dilatory b) opportune c) sluggish d) prompt e) tardy

  3. Which of these describes a prompt? a) A specific input or instruction provided to an AI system. b) A short message reminding someone to take action. c) A cue given to an actor during a play. d) A sudden feeling of doubt or hesitation.

  4. To ensure clarity in communication, it's crucial to be _____. a) ambiguous b) explicit c) equivocal d) vague e) concise

  5. The new software update aims to _____ system performance and user experience. a) impair b) enhance c) degrade d) ameliorate e) diminish

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sudden drop in sales caused the management to rethink their marketing strategy.
  2. We need to respond quickly and efficiently to client inquiries to maintain satisfaction.
  3. The company expects all employees to arrive on time for meetings.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. prompt
  2. prompt
  3. oblige
  4. advice

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) incite, d) prompt, e) instigate
  2. b) opportune, d) prompt
  3. a) A specific input or instruction provided to an AI system., b) A short message reminding someone to take action., c) A cue given to an actor during a play.
  4. b) explicit, e) concise
  5. b) enhance, d) ameliorate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sudden drop in sales prompted the management to rethink their marketing strategy.
  2. We need to respond promptly and efficiently to client inquiries to maintain satisfaction.
  3. The company expects all employees to be punctual for meetings.

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