What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prodding
Example
The farmer prodded the cow with a stick to move it along. [prodded: past tense]
Example
She kept prodding him to apply for the job, even though he was unsure. [prodding: present participle]
prompting
Example
The teacher prompted the students to turn in their homework before leaving. [prompted: past tense]
Example
The beautiful scenery prompted the artist to paint a landscape. [prompting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prompting is more commonly used than prodding in everyday language. Prompting is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prodding is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prodding and prompting?
Both prodding and prompting can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but prompting is generally considered more polite and appropriate for formal situations.
