pray
gb/pɹˈeɪ/ us/pɹˈeɪ/
A2
Inglés
~ 7000
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
A2
action
1
speak to God or a god
To talk to God or a god, usually to ask for help or say thank you.
Patrón de uso:
to pray to [deity] for [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes say *"pray God"* instead of *"pray to God"*. Use *"pray to [someone]"* for who you speak to, and *"pray for [something/someone]"* for what you ask about. Also, do not use *pray* when you only mean *hope* in non-religious contexts; say *"I hope it doesn't rain"*, not always *"I pray it doesn't rain"*.
Sinónimos
worship (Focuses more on honoring and praising a god; not always about asking for something.)
|
implore (Means to beg very seriously; not limited to religious contexts.)
Antónimos
curse (Calling for harm or misfortune instead of asking a god for help or blessing.)
Colocaciones
pray to God
|pray for help
|pray for peace
|pray for [someone]
|pray together
|kneel and pray
Temas
religion
|emotions
|daily life
|communication
Ejemplos
- Every night they pray to God for their children's safety.
- The villagers gathered in the temple to pray for rain.
- She knelt by the bed and prayed for strength to face the next day.
- We held hands and prayed over the sick child.
- He silently prayed that his loved ones would be protected during the storm.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- She prays to God every morning.
- They pray for their family when they are worried.
- We go to church to pray together.
- He prays for peace in the world.
- The old woman sits and prays in the small chapel.
Verbo
B1
state
2
strongly hope for something
To really, really hope that something happens or does not happen.
Patrón de uso:
to pray (that) [clause]
Error frecuente:
Learners may overuse *pray* in casual situations where native speakers usually say *hope*. For everyday wishes like exams, weather, or travel, *"I hope..."* is more common; *"I pray..."* can sound very serious or dramatic.
Sinónimos
hope (More general and neutral; *pray* suggests a stronger or more emotional wish.)
|
wish (Often less intense or more hypothetical than *pray* in this sense.)
Antónimos
dread (Means to strongly fear or expect something bad, the opposite emotional direction of *praying for* a good outcome.)
Colocaciones
pray it works
|pray nothing goes wrong
|pray for a miracle
|pray it doesn’t rain
|just pray and wait
Temas
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I’m just praying it doesn’t rain on our wedding day.
- She prayed that her name would be on the acceptance list.
- We all prayed nothing would go wrong during the surgery.
- He silently prayed that nobody had seen his mistake.
- They prayed for a miracle, even though the chances were small.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I pray that you arrive safely.
- We pray it does not snow tomorrow.
- She prays that her team will win.
- He prays nothing bad will happen.
- They pray that their plan will work.
Verbo
formal
B2
entity
3
formal way to say “please”
A very formal, old way to say “please,” used before a verb when asking someone to do something.
Patrón de uso:
pray [bare infinitive]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes think this use of *pray* is modern or common because they see it in literature or subtitles. In real life, most speakers do not use *pray* this way except humorously or in imitation of old-fashioned style. Use *please* instead in normal conversation.
Sinónimos
please (Modern and common; *pray* is old-fashioned or used jokingly or dramatically.)
Antónimos
demand (A forceful request without politeness, contrasting with the very polite tone of *pray* in this sense.)
Colocaciones
pray continue
|pray tell
|pray be seated
|I pray you
|pray forgive me
Temas
politeness
|literature
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Pray sit down and make yourself comfortable.
- So, pray tell, how did you manage that?
- Pray forgive my interruption, but I must speak.
- Pray continue; I am most interested in your story.
- Pray be careful how you speak of my family.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- In old books, a man says, “Pray sit, madam.”
- He says, “Pray forgive me,” in a formal way.
- People today almost never say “Pray tell” except as a joke.
- The host said, “Pray come in and rest.”
- “Pray listen,” the teacher said in the story.
Verbo
technical
C1
action
4
formally request in legal writing
In legal language, to formally ask a court for a certain decision or action.
Patrón de uso:
to pray [relief/judgment] from [court]
Error frecuente:
Learners may think this legal use of *pray* is related to religion in meaning. In legal texts, it simply means *formally request* and does not imply religious prayer.
Sinónimos
petition (Standard legal term for formally asking a court; close in register and context.)
Antónimos
waive (To give up a right or claim, the opposite of formally asking for it.)
Colocaciones
prays for judgment
|prays that the court
|prays for relief
|prays the court to
|plaintiff prays
Temas
law
|official
|communication
Ejemplos
- The plaintiff prays for judgment in the amount of $50,000.
- In her complaint, she prays that the court grant injunctive relief.
- The petitioners pray this honorable court to dismiss the charges.
- The defendant prays that the case be transferred to another jurisdiction.
- The motion prays for an order compelling discovery.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- In some legal texts, it says, “The plaintiff prays for relief.”
- Lawyers sometimes write, “The defendant prays that the court dismiss this case.”
- Here, *prays* means *formally asks* the court.
- The document says, “The applicant prays that this court grant bail.”
- Students of law must learn how *pray* is used in legal writing.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
pray
AFI
GB/pɹˈeɪ/
US/pɹˈeɪ/
Sílabas y acento
pray (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (pray)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: pray
- 3rd Person Singular: prays
- Present Participle: praying
- Past: prayed
Familia de palabras
Forms
prays
verb
praying
verb
prayed
verb
Core family
prayer
noun A2
Related words
prayerful
adjective
Advanced or less common
prayerfully
adverb
Expresiones
pray about
1/pɹˈeɪ əbˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
seek guidance in prayer
To talk to God about a problem or choice and ask for help or guidance.
Ejemplos
- She said she needed time to pray about the job offer.
- Before we decide, let’s pray about it together.
- He spent the evening praying about how to handle the conflict.
pray for
1/pɹˈeɪ fɚ/
phrasal verb
ask God for something
To talk to God or a god and ask for a special thing, person, or result.
Ejemplos
- We all prayed for her quick recovery after the accident.
- They prayed for peace in the region every Sunday.
- He quietly prayed for guidance before making his decision.
pray for the best
1/pɹˈeɪ fɚ ðə bˈɛst/
fixed phrase
strongly hope for good outcome
To hope very much that things will end well, especially when you cannot control what will happen.
Ejemplos
- We’ve prepared as much as we can, so now we just have to pray for the best.
- Sometimes all you can do is pray for the best and see what happens.
- They sent the application and prayed for the best.
pray over
1/pɹˈeɪ ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
pray while near something
To say prayers while you are close to or touching someone or something, often asking for healing or blessing.
Ejemplos
- The family gathered to pray over their grandfather in the hospital.
- They prayed over the food before eating.
- Members of the church prayed over the new building during the opening ceremony.
pray tell
1/pɹˈeɪ tˈɛl/
idiom
informal
please tell me (explain)
A humorous or old-fashioned way to say “please tell me,” often when you are surprised or annoyed.
Ejemplos
- And how, pray tell, did you forget your own birthday?
- Where, pray tell, did you get that idea?
- What, pray tell, are you doing on the roof at midnight?
pray to
1/pɹˈeɪ tə/
phrasal verb
address a deity in prayer
To speak in prayer to a god, saint, or other holy figure.
Ejemplos
- Many sailors pray to Saint Nicholas for protection at sea.
- She prays to God every night before she sleeps.
- They prayed to their ancestors for wisdom and strength.
pray to God
1/pɹˈeɪ tə ɡˈɑd/
fixed phrase
pray specifically to God
To speak to God in prayer, often asking for help or saying thanks.
Ejemplos
- When he is afraid, he prays to God for comfort.
- They prayed to God for rain during the long drought.
- She teaches her children to pray to God before meals.