pray tell

USAGE SUMMARY

"pray tell" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is mainly used as a rhetorical request to ask someone to elaborate or offer more information on a certain topic, even if they are not praying. Example sentence: "Pray tell, what do you mean by that?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That movie, pray tell?

The New York Times

So pray tell!

The New York Times

Well whose choices are those, pray tell?

Harvard Business Review

And when is that, pray tell?

The New York Times

But where, pray tell, are those hearings?

The New York Times

What, pray tell, did she write?

The New York Times

What, pray tell, was she thinking?

The Guardian - Opinion

Who, pray tell, is making a study of that?

The New York Times

What, pray tell, could he be talking about?

The Washington Post

Interviewer: Benjamin Thompson Well pray, tell Davide - what is bubbling?

Nature

And what, pray tell, was Atilla's grand prize?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that "pray tell" is slightly archaic; use it sparingly to avoid sounding overly old-fashioned.

Common error

Avoid using "pray tell" too frequently in your writing. Its slightly antiquated tone can become distracting if overused.

Linguistic Context

Pray tell functions as an interjection, typically used to introduce a question or request for clarification. Ludwig AI examples show its usage to invite explanation, often with a hint of surprise or skepticism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pray tell" functions as an interjection used to politely ask for an explanation, often tinged with surprise or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media. While acceptable, its slightly archaic tone means it's best used sparingly to avoid sounding old-fashioned. Alternatives like "please explain" or "tell me more" can be used for a more modern feel. Remember its primary purpose is to seek clarification or express mild disbelief in a somewhat formal manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do tell

More informal and implies slight surprise or disbelief.

please explain

More direct and less rhetorical; seeks genuine clarification.

enlighten me

Implies a need for knowledge or understanding from the speaker.

tell me more

Directly requests additional details or information.

can you elaborate

Formally requests a more detailed explanation.

I'm listening

Simple way to invite continuation or more information.

what do you mean

Directly questions the meaning behind a statement.

care to elaborate

Politely invites a more detailed explanation.

how so

Asks for an explanation of a previous statement.

explain yourself

More confrontational, demanding justification or clarification.

FAQs

How can I use "pray tell" in a sentence?

You can use "pray tell" to politely or rhetorically ask for an explanation, like "Pray tell, what makes you think that's a good idea?"

What does "pray tell" actually mean?

"Pray tell" is an archaic phrase that means "please explain" or "tell me". It's often used to express surprise or mild skepticism.

Are there more modern alternatives to "pray tell"?

Yes, you can use more contemporary phrases such as "please explain", "tell me more", or "how so", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "pray tell" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pray tell" is somewhat archaic. Use it sparingly in formal writing to avoid sounding overly old-fashioned, and consider alternatives like "can you elaborate" or "explain further".