1.prompt用作动词时可作“促使”“激励”“唤起”“驱使”解,可接名词或代词作宾语,也可接以动词不定式或“to be+adj.”充当补足语的复合宾语。
2.prompt也可作“提示台词给…人”“提示”解,可用于被动结构。

用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
Why did you prompt him?你为什么怂恿他?
The scandal prompted a senate investigation.这一丑闻引起了参议院的调查。
A strike prompted the setting up of the committee.一次罢工促成了该委员会的建立。
The sight of the ships prompted thoughts of his distant home.看到这些船使他想起遥远的故乡。
It was Anne's nagging that prompted me into this visit to the doctor.是安妮不停的唠叨促使我去看了医生。
If you forget your part in the play,I'll prompt you.如果你忘了戏词,我就来提示你。
To prompt an actor is to tell him his words when he has forgotten them.给演员提示台词就是当演员忘记台词时告诉他。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
He was prompted by his sense of responsibility.他被自己的责任感所鼓舞。
That was prompted by curiosity.那是由于好奇引起的。
The witness was prompted in the court.证人在法庭上被提示。
用作宾补动词
▲S+～+n./pron.+to-v
What prompted you to say that?是什么促使你说这个的?
Conscience prompts us to do right.良心使我们为善。
My desire for knowledge prompted me to buy the encyclopedia.求知欲使我买了这本百科全书。
Severe criticisms from his teacher prompted him to study hard.老师的严厉批评促使他用功学习。
His evasive reply prompted me to ask another question.他含糊其词的回答导致我又问了一个问题。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
He was prompted by curiosity to ask questions.他出于好奇心问了很多问题。
He was prompted to study hard by the remark of the hero.英雄的话激励他更加努力地学习。
▲S+～+n./pron.+to be adj.
What prompted him to be so generous?什么使得他如此大方呢?

prompt, actuate, drive, move
参见move条。
prompt, arouse, incite, induce
参见induce条。

下面两句话意思相同:
爱国心激励他迅速采取行动。
Patriotism prompted him to quick action.
Patriotism prompted him to act quickly.

［同义词］ adj.  quick, ready, timely
［反义词］ adj.  later, slow
［词源］＜中古英语prompte(迅速的)

用作定语
▲～+n.
 Prompt payment of bills is greatly appreciated.如蒙即期结账,则不胜感激。
用作表语
▲S+be+～
 I can't understand it; he's usually very prompt.我不明白这是怎么回事,他通常很准时的。
▲S+be+～+prep.-phrase
 She was very prompt in answering my letter.她给我写回信非常及时。
The company was prompt in its response to these accusations.该公司对这些指责迅速作出反应。
▲S+be+～+to-v
He's always prompt to criticize other people's ideas.他对别人想出的主意总是迫不及待地进行评价。