praying we can

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "praying we can" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a hope or desire for a specific outcome or action to take place. Example: "I'm praying we can find a solution to this problem before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I'm just praying we can get out of here as soon as we can.

The Guardian

Falling bottom of the table at the beginning of December was a huge blow psychologically, and one we're still waiting (and praying) we can bounce back from.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm hoping and praying we can keep him for another year".

BBC

I am praying we can get through this together".

Huffington Post

"We're praying we can get him some relief from his pain".

Los Angeles Times

I'm praying we can come to consensus on this particular subject.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"They pray we can work miracles, but we can't".

The Guardian

"My wife just prays we can be together one day," he said.

The Guardian

I pray we can come together to solve our problems, because the choices before us could not be more important.

The New York Times

Muslim people, we can go to the mosque, we can pray, we can dress the way we want to … we've got halal food pretty much everywhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

I pray we can come together to solve our problems because the choices before us could not be more important.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "praying we can" to express a sincere hope or desire, often when facing uncertainty or difficulty. This phrase conveys a sense of reliance on a higher power or a strong belief in a positive outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "praying we can" in purely secular or business contexts where a more neutral phrase like "hoping we can" or "expecting we can" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "praying we can" functions as an expression of hope and desire. It combines the action of praying with the anticipation of a particular outcome. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "praying we can" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a hopeful desire for a specific outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is acceptable in written English, though it carries a religious connotation that might make it less suitable for strictly secular settings. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, and less commonly in academic or formal business settings. Related phrases include "hoping we can" and "wishing we could", which offer similar meanings without the religious implication. When writing, consider the context and audience to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hoping we can

Replaces "praying" with "hoping", focusing on a general desire rather than a specific religious connotation.

wishing we could

Expresses a desire with a hint of uncertainty or unlikelihood.

I hope that we can

Adds "I hope that" for emphasis, specifying the speaker's desire.

we are praying to be able to

Emphasizes the act of prayer and the ability to do something.

I'm hoping that we will be able to

Adds 'I'm', changes 'can' to 'will be able to', which slightly emphasizes confidence.

keeping my fingers crossed that we can

Introduces an idiomatic expression indicating hope and anticipation.

we trust that we can

Replaces "praying" with "trust", focusing on reliance and faith.

we have faith that we can

Highlights faith and belief in the possibility of achieving something.

with any luck, we can

Introduces an element of chance or good fortune.

it is our fervent hope that we can

Uses more formal language to express a strong hope.

FAQs

What does "praying we can" mean?

The phrase "praying we can" expresses a hope or desire for a specific outcome, often implying reliance on a higher power or a strong wish for something to happen.

What can I say instead of "praying we can"?

You can use alternatives like "hoping we can", "wishing we could", or "I hope that we can" depending on the context.

Is "praying we can" grammatically correct?

Yes, "praying we can" is grammatically correct and understandable, although it carries a religious connotation that may not be suitable for all situations. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "praying we can"?

It is appropriate to use "praying we can" when you want to express a hopeful wish, especially in situations where the outcome is uncertain and you are seeking a positive resolution. It is often used when there is a sense of reliance on a higher power.