pray

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pray" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to refer to asking God for help or guidance, or as an interjection that expresses hope or desire. Example sentence: We all prayed for rain to end the drought.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While Christians bow our heads to pray for you, radical Islamists want to cut off your head".

The Guardian

A song about going down to the river to pray.

The Guardian - Music

She and her husband Marcus own a Minnesota clinic where counsellors encourage gay people to pray to rid themselves of same-sex desires.

The Guardian

Not long ago, they arranged for some pastors from a local evangelist church to pray over Patrick Okello.

The Guardian

Representative Mike Moyle told the Associated Press: "I pray that they're right.

The Guardian

On the eve of his visit, Catholics across Bosnia dropped on their knees at an agreed time on Friday evening during candlelit vigils to pray for all those around the world persecuted for their faith.

The Guardian

Photograph: Omer Messinger /NurPhot/Corbis Palestinians pray over the bodies of 17 members of the Abu Jamea family, killed by an Israeli strike at their house, during their funeral at the main mosque in Khan Younis.

The Guardian

He said: "He who does not pray to the Lord prays to the devil.

The Guardian

They had a ceasefire but there were still attacks in some places, so we can only pray".

The Guardian

Fullah explains: "You pray to God for a speedy recovery".

The Guardian

I could only pray to God for life".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pray" when you want to express a sincere hope or request to a higher power or in a formal context to make a polite request.

Common error

Avoid using "pray" in overly casual contexts where it might sound out of place or insincere; consider using more informal expressions like "hope" or "wish" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pray" is as a verb, indicating the act of making a request to a deity or expressing a fervent hope. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable status in various contexts. Examples show it used both in religious contexts and as a polite request.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "pray" functions primarily as a verb used to express a request to a deity or a sincere hope. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it can indicate religious supplication or sincere aspiration, be aware of nuances. Consider context to decide whether a more formal "beseech" or a more informal "hope" better conveys your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a prayer

Focuses on the action of presenting a prayer rather than the act of praying itself.

say a prayer

Emphasizes the verbalization of a prayer.

make a supplication

Highlights the humble and earnest nature of the request.

seek divine intervention

Emphasizes the request for God's involvement.

invoke a blessing

Focuses on asking for a positive outcome or grace.

entreat

This is a more formal and direct synonym that also emphasizes the act of earnestly requesting.

beseech

This emphasizes the act of earnestly begging or pleading.

implore

This conveys a sense of desperation or urgency in the request.

hope fervently

Shifts the focus to the intensity of the hope rather than a direct appeal to a higher power.

wish devoutly

This conveys a heartfelt wish with a sense of religiousness or sincerity.

FAQs

How do you use "pray" in a sentence?

You can use "pray" to ask a deity for something, as in, "They "pray" for peace". Alternatively, it can be used as a polite request, such as, "I "pray", tell me what happened".

What can I say instead of "pray"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "hope", "wish", "implore", or "beseech".

Which is correct, "pray" or "prey"?

"Pray" refers to making a request to a deity or a sincere hope. "Prey", on the other hand, refers to an animal hunted by another for food or someone who is easily victimized. They have completely different meanings.

What's the difference between "pray" and "worship"?

"Pray" is a specific act of communicating with a deity to make a request or express gratitude. "Worship" encompasses a broader range of actions and feelings of reverence and adoration towards a deity.