pray of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pray of" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be a misconstruction, as "pray" typically requires a different preposition, such as "for" or "to." Example: "I pray for peace in the world."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Not to pray, of course.

The New York Times

And pray, of course, for the 200,000 dead in the Syrian war.

Independent

It was what transformed the modern masses into a pray of Nazism compelling them to give their devotion to it.

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

Pray, of course, but also be watchful.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A symbolic split entrance allows Muslim women to pray out of the view of men.

The Economist

"He doesn't believe in the Lord of Light and he prayed out of desperation.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Biology is "my way of praying, of feeling part of something bigger.

The Guardian - Books

She had a vision while praying "of me marrying this man in the valley where his parents have a farm in western Wisconsin".

The New Yorker

One day, the priest gave a homily on Marian apparitions, and on how the Virgin Mary at Fátima had urged the praying of the Rosary.

The New Yorker

Good Friday: Today the community conducts a public praying of the Stations of the Cross for peace.

Huffington Post

The practice of meditation during the praying of repeated Hail Marys dates back to 15th century Carthusian monks, and was soon adopted by the Dominicans at large.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "pray for" instead of "pray of" to express asking or hoping for something from a higher power. For example, "I pray for peace" is correct.

Common error

Avoid using "of" after "pray". The correct preposition is typically "for" or, in some contexts, "to". Using "pray of" can confuse readers and is grammatically unsound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pray of" functions as a prepositional phrase, but is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. It appears to be a non-standard construction. Ludwig AI indicates that the standard form is "pray for" or "pray to."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pray of" is considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. As noted by Ludwig AI, the correct usage typically involves "pray for" or "pray to". While a few examples exist, these do not represent standard English usage. When expressing a request or hope related to prayer, it is best to use ""pray for"". Alternatives such as "ask for" or "hope for" can also be suitable depending on the context. Using "pray of" should be avoided in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pray for

This is the standard and grammatically correct way to express asking a deity for something.

offer a prayer for

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of offering a prayer.

ask for

This is a general way to request something, without specifically involving prayer.

hope for

This alternative expresses a wish or expectation, rather than a direct request.

beseech

This is a more formal and literary way to ask for something earnestly.

implore

This alternative suggests a desperate or urgent request.

petition

This term implies a formal or structured request.

appeal to

This suggests making a request to someone based on their authority or compassion.

entreat

Similar to 'implore', this means to ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something.

supplicate

This implies a humble and earnest request, often in a religious context.

FAQs

How should I correctly use the word "pray" in a sentence?

Use "pray for" when you are asking or hoping for something. For example, "I "pray for" a positive outcome". You can also "pray to" a specific deity or entity.

What can I say instead of "pray of"?

Since "pray of" is grammatically incorrect, you should use alternatives like ""pray for"", "ask for", or "hope for" depending on the intended meaning.

Is it correct to say "I pray of you"?

While "pray of" is not standard English, phrases like "I pray you" (without the "of") are archaic but can be found in older texts, meaning "I ask you". However, in modern English, it's better to rephrase using "I ask you" or "I beg you".

What's the difference between "pray for" and "pray to"?

"Pray for" is used when you are asking for a general outcome or benefit, as in ""pray for" peace". "Pray to" is used when addressing a specific deity or saint, as in "pray to God".