This prompts us to ask
Presentation and public speaking expression
Use this phrase to transition logically from an observation to a key question in professional settings.
في 15 ثانية
- A professional bridge between a fact and a related question.
- Used to guide an audience through a logical argument.
- Common in presentations, academic writing, and business meetings.
المعنى
This phrase is a professional way to transition from a fact or observation to a related question. It suggests that what you just said naturally leads to a specific problem or mystery that needs solving.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Giving a business presentation
Our competitors are lowering prices. This prompts us to ask: how can we maintain our value?
Our competitors are lowering prices. This leads us to ask: how can we maintain our value?
Writing a university essay
The data shows a rise in urban heat. This prompts us to ask what role architecture plays.
The data shows a rise in urban heat. This leads us to ask what role architecture plays.
A roommate meeting about chores
The sink is full of dishes again. This prompts us to ask: does anyone actually own a sponge?
The sink is full of dishes again. This leads us to ask: does anyone actually own a sponge?
خلفية ثقافية
This phrase is rooted in the academic tradition of inquiry-based learning. It became a standard 'signposting' expression in the mid-20th century as professional presentation styles became more structured. It signals that the speaker is objective and driven by data rather than just personal opinion.
The Power of the Pause
After you say 'This prompts us to ask,' wait for one second before stating the question. It builds anticipation and makes your question feel more important.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this phrase five times in one presentation, you'll sound repetitive. Mix it up with 'This leads us to' or 'This raises a vital point'.
في 15 ثانية
- A professional bridge between a fact and a related question.
- Used to guide an audience through a logical argument.
- Common in presentations, academic writing, and business meetings.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as a logical bridge. It connects a piece of information you just shared to a question you want to explore. It tells your audience that your next point isn't random. Instead, it is a direct result of the evidence you just presented. It makes you sound like a careful thinker who follows the facts.
How To Use It
You first state a clear fact or observation. Maybe you show a chart where sales are dropping. Then, you use This prompts us to ask followed by your big question. It acts as a signpost for your listeners. It helps them prepare for a shift in the conversation. Use a small pause after the word ask for extra dramatic effect. It keeps people on the edge of their seats.
When To Use It
This is a powerhouse phrase for presentations and public speaking. It is perfect for business meetings when you need to address a problem. You will also see it constantly in academic essays. It works well when you want to lead a group toward a specific conclusion. It feels very natural in a professional debate or a structured Q&A session.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in very casual settings. If you tell a friend, "The milk is expired, which prompts us to ask: who forgot the groceries?", you will sound like a corporate robot. It is too stiff for a romantic dinner or a quick text message. Also, don't use it if the question isn't actually related to the previous fact. That just confuses people.
Cultural Background
English-speaking cultures value "critical thinking" and logical progression in speech. This phrase is a classic tool of Western rhetoric. It mirrors the Socratic method of using questions to find the truth. In modern times, it has become a staple of TED-style talks. It helps speakers guide an audience through complex ideas without losing them along the way.
Common Variations
You can swap it for This leads us to wonder for a softer tone. Use This raises the question if the situation is more serious. If you want to be very formal, try This necessitates an inquiry into. For a more modern, punchy vibe, you might just say Which brings us to the question. All of these help you navigate your speech like a pro.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a high-level transition phrase. Use it in formal writing or speaking to appear more organized and persuasive. Avoid it in casual slang-heavy conversations.
The Power of the Pause
After you say 'This prompts us to ask,' wait for one second before stating the question. It builds anticipation and makes your question feel more important.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this phrase five times in one presentation, you'll sound repetitive. Mix it up with 'This leads us to' or 'This raises a vital point'.
The 'Us' Factor
Using 'us' instead of 'me' makes the audience feel like they are part of the discovery. It turns a lecture into a shared journey of logic.
أمثلة
6Our competitors are lowering prices. This prompts us to ask: how can we maintain our value?
Our competitors are lowering prices. This leads us to ask: how can we maintain our value?
Used here to pivot from a market threat to a strategic question.
The data shows a rise in urban heat. This prompts us to ask what role architecture plays.
The data shows a rise in urban heat. This leads us to ask what role architecture plays.
A classic academic transition to introduce a research sub-topic.
The sink is full of dishes again. This prompts us to ask: does anyone actually own a sponge?
The sink is full of dishes again. This leads us to ask: does anyone actually own a sponge?
Using a formal phrase for a mundane problem creates a funny, sarcastic tone.
The client rejected the first draft. This prompts us to ask if we understood the brief.
The client rejected the first draft. This leads us to ask if we understood the brief.
Appropriate for professional digital communication.
We haven't spent a weekend together in months. This prompts us to ask where our priorities lie.
We haven't spent a weekend together in months. This leads us to ask where our priorities lie.
Adds a serious, analytical weight to a personal conversation.
The stars are moving further apart. This prompts us to ask about the end of the universe.
The stars are moving further apart. This leads us to ask about the end of the universe.
Used to introduce a grand, philosophical question based on evidence.
اختبر نفسك
Complete the transition for a presentation about remote work.
Productivity increased by 20% last year. ___: do we really need an office?
The phrase `This prompts us to ask` is the standard way to bridge a statistic to a follow-up question.
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase.
The sudden change in weather ___ us to ask if the event should be moved indoors.
The verb `prompts` is the specific word used in this idiomatic expression to mean 'encourages' or 'leads to'.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Levels of Question Transitions
Talking to friends
So, I was wondering...
General office talk
Which brings up the question...
Presentations/Essays
This prompts us to ask...
Legal/Scientific papers
This necessitates an inquiry into...
When to use 'This prompts us to ask'
Keynote Speech
Connecting a story to a big idea.
Research Paper
Moving from data to a hypothesis.
Team Meeting
Addressing a new problem.
Debate
Challenging an opponent's point.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, but it sounds more personal. Using us is better for presentations because it includes the audience in your thinking process.
In this context, yes, but prompts is much more formal and elegant. Makes us ask sounds a bit more childish or forceful.
Absolutely! It works great in professional emails when you are analyzing a situation and want to propose a next step or question.
It is used equally in all major varieties of English. It is a standard part of international professional English.
Yes, usually. The phrase acts as a colon, introducing the question directly after it.
Yes. For example: The surprise party was a success. This prompts us to ask: when is the next one? It's very versatile.
The most common mistake is forgetting the word to. Some people say This prompts us ask, which is grammatically incorrect.
It is excellent for academic writing. It helps create a 'flow' between paragraphs or sections of an argument.
Not at all. It sounds inquisitive and logical. It's much softer than saying 'The problem is...'
Yes! Use it when describing a past challenge: I noticed our workflow was slow. This prompted us to ask how we could automate it.
عبارات ذات صلة
This raises the question
A slightly more urgent way to introduce a problem or inquiry.
This leads us to wonder
A softer, more curious way to transition to a question.
Which brings us to
A very common transition to move to the next topic or question.
In light of this
A phrase used to introduce a thought or action based on new information.
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