to prise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to prise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to the act of forcing something open or apart, often with a tool or effort. Example: "He used a crowbar to prise open the stubborn door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have to prise him away.

The Guardian - Tech

Some attempt to prise and understand it.

The New York Times - Arts

It took death to prise them from him.

The Economist

Inspector and Sergeant had to prise him from the car.

The Guardian

Three bystanders had to prise the man off.

The Guardian - Opinion

They had to prise his hands off Sam.

The Guardian - Arts

But they also give a child a lever with which to prise open the world.

Independent

This week's EU summit was discussing how to prise Moscow and Beijing apart.

The Economist

But the government hopes to prise some from its hands by the end of the year.

The Economist

Broad returned to try to prise out De Villiers, holding a rigid line outside off-stump.

Independent

It is, rather, creating a lever to prise open closed markets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to prise" when you want to emphasize the use of leverage or force to open or separate something. Be mindful of the connotations; it can sometimes imply difficulty or even a slightly forceful action.

Common error

Avoid using "to prise" when a gentler action like "to open" or "to lift" would be more appropriate. "To prise" implies a degree of force or effort that might not always be intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to prise" functions as an infinitive, often acting as a verb complement or expressing purpose. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English, typically referring to forcing something open or apart.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to prise" is a grammatically sound and widely used infinitive, primarily found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the action of forcing something open or apart, often with the aid of a tool or significant effort. While alternatives like "to pry" or "to lever" exist, "to prise" carries its own distinct connotation of effort and leverage. When writing, consider the specific context and the degree of force implied to ensure accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to pry open

Focuses specifically on opening something using leverage, often with a tool.

to lever open

Highlights the use of a lever as the means of opening something.

to force open

Emphasizes the application of force to open something, without specifying the method.

to wedge apart

Implies using a wedge to separate or open something.

to jimmy open

Specifically refers to using a jimmy or similar tool to force something open, often illicitly.

to wrest free

Suggests a struggle to detach or separate something.

to extract

Focuses on removing something, often with difficulty.

to dislodge

Implies moving something from a fixed position, often with force.

to wrench

Suggests a sudden, forceful twisting or pulling to separate something.

to detach

Focuses on the act of separating something from something else.

FAQs

How can I use "to prise" in a sentence?

You can use "to prise" to describe the action of forcing something open or apart using leverage. For example: "He used a crowbar to prise the door open."

What's the difference between "to prise" and "to pry"?

"To prise" and "to pry" are often interchangeable, both referring to using leverage to open or separate something. However, "to prise" can sometimes carry a slightly stronger connotation of force.

Are there any synonyms for "to prise" that don't imply force?

While "to prise" generally implies force, you could consider alternatives like "to extract" or "to detach" depending on the specific context, if you want to downplay the forceful aspect.

In what situations is it best to use "to prise" rather than "to open"?

Use "to prise" when the action involves significant effort or the use of a tool to overcome resistance. "To open" is more suitable for simpler, less forceful actions.