as they pray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they pray" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or thoughts occurring simultaneously with the act of praying. Example: "The congregation gathered in silence, reflecting on their intentions as they pray."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Pray for them as they pray for you!

Huffington Post

They stand candles on the floor in front of them, as if it were one big birthday cake, and light them as they pray.

The New York Times

Carlos Molina is the tantrum-prone devil who lures three virgins into his hellish cave as they pray outside a church.

The New York Times

The worshippers, from Afghan refugees to a large group from Azerbaijan, don't seem to notice as they pray, read the Qur'an or try to squeeze their way through the crowd surrounding the zerih, Masoumeh's grand metallic burial chamber.

The Guardian

Such findings have been translated into new political catchphrases, like "Americans increasingly vote as they pray" or "the best prediction of how people will vote on Tuesday is where they were on Sunday".

The New York Times

But America needs leaders who are willing to face the storm head on, even as they pray for God's strength and wisdom so that they can do what they believe is right.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Again, Abbas was at father's elbow as they prayed.

The New York Times

In fact, this smoke came from the incense the priests lit as they prayed for Lady Aoi.

The New Yorker

As they prayed, they threw bundles of flowers into the swift-moving water where he was last seen.

The New York Times

During their celebration, serfs feasted on special foods as they prayed for the swift arrival of spring, with its green oaks and abundant flowers.

The New York Times

A similar pattern was evident when The Associated Press revealed last August that the Police Department had been spying on Muslims as they prayed, ate and went about daily life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they pray" to vividly depict simultaneous actions or states, enhancing the narrative by showing events unfolding concurrently with the act of praying.

Common error

Avoid using "as they pray" when the intention is to describe a consequence of praying rather than an action happening simultaneously. For example, instead of "They felt peace as they pray", consider "They felt peace after they prayed" if the peace came as a result of the prayer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they pray" functions as a subordinate conjunction introducing a clause that indicates the time or circumstance in which another action occurs. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. This is seen in examples such as "They stand candles on the floor in front of them, as if it were one big birthday cake, and light them as they pray."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as they pray" is a grammatically correct and commonly used conjunction phrase that describes concurrent actions alongside prayer, as confirmed by Ludwig. It frequently appears in news and media contexts. While it can be used in both formal and informal writing, careful attention should be paid to its temporal implications to prevent misinterpretations. When considering alternative phrases, "while they are in prayer" and "during their prayers" offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while they are in prayer

Replaces "as" with "while" and emphasizes the state of being in prayer.

during their prayers

Uses a possessive pronoun and emphasizes the time period of praying.

when they are praying

Emphasizes the specific moment of praying as the related action occurs.

in the act of praying

Highlights the process of praying, often in a formal or descriptive context.

as they offer prayers

Replaces "pray" with "offer prayers", adding a slightly more formal tone.

while engaged in prayer

Uses a more formal and descriptive way to express the activity of praying.

during worship

Broadens the context to worship, which includes prayer but may also involve other activities.

in moments of prayer

Focuses on specific instances or periods of praying.

as they supplicate

Uses a more formal and less common synonym for pray.

in their devotions

Refers to the broader act of religious devotion, of which prayer is a part.

FAQs

How can I use "as they pray" in a sentence?

Use "as they pray" to describe actions or thoughts occurring simultaneously with the act of praying. For example, "The worshippers bowed their heads as they pray" illustrates a simultaneous action.

What phrases are similar to "as they pray"?

You can use alternatives like "while they are in prayer", "during their prayers", or "when they are praying" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "during they pray" instead of "as they pray"?

No, "during they pray" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "during their prayers" or "as they pray".

What's the difference between "as they pray" and "after they pray"?

"As they pray" indicates that something is happening at the same time as the praying, while "after they pray" means something happens subsequent to the prayer. The phrase "as they pray" is about simultaneity, while "after they pray" is about sequence.