preach

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "preach" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when talking about someone who is delivering a sermon, for example: The pastor stood in front of the congregation and began to preach.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They preach it in their music, which is a strange hybrid of beat and electric guitar Asian jazz.

The Guardian

The fact that it all went so horribly wrong, a rare victory for the anti-realpolitik school, and amid so much suffering, has encouraged them to preach the non-interventionist gospel (western intervention, that is), with unhappy results for a lot of Syrians.

The Guardian

And it seems that in Britain they preach the gospel of a free-for-all to a sympathetic audience.

The Guardian - Opinion

The business leaders who have joined the B Team have committed to practise what they preach in their own businesses and will therefore come under an unprecedented spotlight.

The Guardian

Once again, while myopic politicians preach tired sermons pioneered by President Richard Nixon about defeating the scourge of narcotics, there is a safer and more sensible alternative if only they displayed a little courage.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Blossom Toes were in the socialist republic to preach revolution.

The Guardian

We do not need 19 and 20 year olds to preach to our even younger children.

The Guardian

Surely parties such as Sinn Fein and the SDLP would not direct such aggressive politics on to the very fringes of society, given that they continually preach about social, economic and political rights?

The Guardian - Opinion

The fashion world doesn't claim to preach.

The Guardian - Opinion

One Blairite said of Mr Hattersley afterwards: 'How many times did he preach loyalty?

The Guardian

But despite remaining vehemently independent (they have consistently rejected any major label offers) the band always had ambitions beyond the underground scene: "You don't just want to preach to the choir, it doesn't raise the stakes high enough," Carrie says sharply.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preach", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the intention, whether it's a religious sermon or advocating a belief. Be mindful of the audience and purpose of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "preach" in contexts where a more neutral term like "advocate" or "explain" would be more suitable. Overusing "preach" can sound condescending or overly moralistic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "preach" is as a verb. It signifies the act of delivering a religious discourse or advocating a particular belief. Ludwig AI confirms this use, with examples showing it used in both religious and secular contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "preach" functions primarily as a verb, used to describe the act of delivering a sermon or advocating a particular belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While generally acceptable, its usage can vary in formality from neutral to formal depending on the context, and the frequency of its occurrence is very common across news, business, and scientific domains. When writing, be mindful of overusing "preach" to avoid sounding condescending. Related terms include "deliver a sermon", "advocate a cause", and "espouse a belief".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliver a sermon

Focuses specifically on the religious aspect of delivering a formal religious talk.

espouse a belief

Highlights the act of adopting and supporting a belief or idea, often publicly.

advocate a cause

Emphasizes active support and promotion of a particular cause or idea.

proclaim a message

Stresses the act of publicly and often forcefully announcing a message.

profess convictions

Focuses on openly declaring one's beliefs or convictions.

promote an idea

Suggests actively encouraging the acceptance and spread of an idea.

expound a theory

Emphasizes explaining a theory in detail.

lecture on morality

Implies giving a formal talk, especially on moral principles.

indoctrinate with principles

Suggests teaching or inculcating principles, often with a specific agenda.

pontificate about values

Implies speaking about values in a dogmatic or pompous manner.

FAQs

How can I use "preach" in a sentence?

You can use "preach" to describe delivering a religious sermon, as in "The pastor began to preach", or to describe advocating a belief, as in "They "preach the importance of" environmental conservation".

What are some synonyms for "preach"?

Synonyms for "preach" include "advocate", "proclaim", "espouse", and "lecture", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "preach" and "teach"?

"Preach" often implies a moral or religious element, while "teach" is a more general term for imparting knowledge or skills. You might "preach" a sermon, but you "teach" a class.

When is it appropriate to use "preach" in a secular context?

It's appropriate to use "preach" in a secular context when someone is earnestly advocating for a particular belief or course of action. However, be aware that it can sometimes carry a negative connotation of being overly insistent or self-righteous.