Prompting
Grounding prompt
Instructions that require an AI answer to stay tied to supplied sources or evidence.
Example
The prompt requires the answer to rely only on the attached policy and cite the relevant section.
Why it matters
It helps keep replies within an agreed evidence base rather than inviting unsupported additions.
You'll hear it
“Use only the attached policy, and say when it doesn't answer the question.”
Can you control it?
Yes
Yes. You can often use or adjust a grounding prompt directly when the product supports it. The available options and their effect still depend on the tool.
Common questions
- Does the instruction make an unreliable source trustworthy?
- No. An answer can follow a source faithfully even when that source is wrong.
- Can the AI still add unsupported details?
- Yes. The instruction reduces ambiguity but does not guarantee that every sentence follows it.
- What if the supplied material is incomplete?
- A well-handled answer should acknowledge the gap rather than quietly invent the missing information.