'Pray' means to speak to a god or beg earnestly; 'prey' is an animal hunted for food or a victim.
Verb. To speak to a god or higher power in words or thought. Also to beg or implore earnestly.
Many people pray before meals as a moment of gratitude.
She prayed for a quick recovery after the surgery.
Let's pray for good weather this weekend.
Noun: an animal hunted by a predator for food. Verb: to hunt or take advantage of a vulnerable person.
Owls hunt their prey silently at night.
Elderly people are often the prey of online scammers.
Wolves prey on deer and smaller animals.
Common mistake
Confusing them in texts about nature or religion: "The eagle's pray escaped" (correct: prey). Or writing "scammers pray on seniors" (correct: prey on).
Trick to remember it
'Pray' ends in AY like 'say' — when you pray, you are saying something to a higher power. 'Prey' ends in EY like 'hey' — imagine a predator shouting 'hey!' at its target.
Quick rule
Is it to speak to a higher power or beg? 'Pray'. Is it a hunted animal or a victim being exploited? 'Prey'.
Did you know?
The phrase 'bird of prey' uses 'prey' with a Y. Birds of prey include eagles, hawks, and owls. The Latin root 'rapere' (to seize) also gives us 'raptor', which is why dinosaurs in the Jurassic Park franchise are called 'raptors'.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
Fraudsters often _____ on people who are lonely or financially vulnerable.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Before the surgery, the family gathered to _____ for a successful outcome.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it to speak to a higher power or beg? 'Pray'. Is it a hunted animal or a victim being exploited? 'Prey'.
Confusing them in texts about nature or religion: "The eagle's pray escaped" (correct: prey). Or writing "scammers pray on seniors" (correct: prey on).
'Pray' ends in AY like 'say' — when you pray, you are saying something to a higher power. 'Prey' ends in EY like 'hey' — imagine a predator shouting 'hey!' at its target.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy