In English, it’s common to find words that are mixed up due to their similar sounds. Words like “prey” and “pray” are prime examples of this error. Understanding the difference between such commonly confused words is crucial for effective communication. Below, we’ll explore the definitions and uses of “prey” and “pray” to help avoid these common mistakes in academic writing.
Definition of “prey” vs. “pray”
The term “prey” mostly functions as a noun and refers to a living creature that is hunted or captured by a predator for food. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who falls victim to another person or situation. As a verb, it means “to seize and devour prey” or “to commit violence.”
The term “pray” with an “a” acts as a verb and is a means to communicate with a divine being, in the form of a request, confession, or expression of faith. It can also be used in a more casual manner to express hope for a positive outcome.
Prey
… is both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a living creature hunted or captured by a predator. Metaphorically, it can also describe a person or a vulnerable situation subject to harm or exploitation.
Pray
…is a verb that refers to a religious act of prayer with confession, request, or thanksgiving. It can also convey hope, where one “prays” for a favorable outcome or wishes well-being upon others.
The similarity in pronunciation and spelling, coupled with their entirely different meanings, makes “prey” and “pray” easy to confuse. Additionally, with “prey” referring to being hunted or victimized, and “pray” referring to communicating with a deity, misusing one for the other can create confused laughs in a textual context. Therefore, it is essential to distinguish their meanings for clear communication.
Using the word “prey”
The word “prey” is used as a noun and a verb. How it is applied in a sentence will be explained below.
“Prey” as a noun
As a noun, “prey” refers to an animal or a person who is hunted, captured, or victimized by another animal, person, or situation. A commonly used idiom is “to fall prey to,” where the person or entity is being victimized or taken advantage of.
Examples
- The lion stalked its prey quietly through the grasslands.
- Small mammals are often prey for larger predators like eagles and wolves.
- He fell prey to a scam that promised quick riches but took his savings instead.
“Prey” as a verb
As a verb, “prey” means to hunt or victimize someone or something, often with the intent of exploiting them. The preposition “on” is used with this verb. Another saying is “prey on your mind,” which is a metaphor for something troubling your thoughts persistently, much like how a predator preys on its victims.
Examples
- The deadline is really preying on my mind.
- Scammers often prey on people’s financial insecurities, offering false promises of help.
- In the jungle, many carnivores prey on the vulnerable and injured animals for food.
Tip for using “prey” correctly
Synonyms for “prey” avoid repetition and redundancy and improve your language overall. Using them makes your writing more diverse and adds nuance to a language.
| Synonyms (noun) | Examples |
| Victim | The hawk caught its prey in the open field. |
| The hawk caught its victim in the open field. | |
| Quarry | The lion stalked its prey through the tall grass. |
| The lion stalked its quarry through the tall grass. | |
| Target | The con artist found easy prey in the tourists. |
| The con artist found an easy target in the tourists. |
| Synonyms (verb) | Examples |
| Hunt | Wolves prey on smaller animals during winter. |
| Wolves hunt smaller animals during winter. | |
| Victimize | Scammers often prey on the elderly. |
| Scammers often victimize the elderly. | |
| Exploit | Predators prey on the weak and vulnerable. |
| Predators exploit the weak and vulnerable. |
Using the word “pray”
“Pray” often functions as a verb. How it is used in a sentence will be explained below, along with synonyms.
“Pray“ as a verb
“Pray” means to speak to a deity or divine being in the form of a request, expression of gratitude, or seeking guidance. Additionally, it can be used in a more general sense to express hope or wish for something. An old-fashioned expression is “pray tell,” which is used to ask for clarification or more information. It is not related to religious prayer, but it is a form of polite speech that can be used sarcastically in some situations.
Examples
- Pray tell, how did you come to such a conclusion?
- We pray for peace during difficult times, hoping for a resolution.
- He went to the church to pray, asking for strength and guidance before making his decision.
Tips for using “pray”
Including synonyms for “pray” can improve writing, prevent redundancy, and add nuance. Here are three alternatives with sample sentences.
| Synonyms | Examples |
| Implore | She knelt by the altar to pray for guidance. |
| She knelt by the altar to implore for guidance. | |
| Beseech | They gathered to pray for peace in the world. |
| They gathered to beseech for peace in the world. | |
| Petition | The villagers pray for rain during the drought. |
| The villagers petition for rain during the drought. |
Test yourself!
Practice sheet
To improve your ability to differentiate between “prey” and “pray”, fill in the blanks in the given sentences. The correct answers can be found on the second tab.
- Cybercriminals ____ on those unaware of digital security risks.
- She knelt by her bed to ____ for guidance during a difficult time.
- Many animals in the wild fall ____ to predators.
- The hawk circled high above, searching for its ____ in the open field.
- She went to the temple to ____ for her family’s safety.
- The shark’s main ____ consists of fish and seals in the ocean.
- The con artist targeted elderly individuals, who became easy ____ to his schemes.
- The foxes ____ on smaller mammals like rabbits and rodents.
- We gathered as a community to ____ for the victims of the disaster.
- He always ____ for good health and success before starting his day.
- Cybercriminals prey on those unaware of digital security risks.
- She knelt by her bed to pray for guidance during a difficult time.
- Many animals in the wild fall prey to predators.
- The hawk circled high above, searching for its prey in the open field.
- She went to the temple to pray for her family’s safety.
- The shark’s main prey consists of fish and seals in the ocean.
- The con artist targeted elderly individuals, who became easy prey to his schemes.
- The foxes prey on smaller mammals like rabbits and rodents.
- We gathered as a community to pray for the victims of the disaster.
- He always prays for good health and success before starting his day.
FAQs
“Prey” refers to an animal or person that is hunted or victimized (as a noun) or the act of hunting or exploiting someone or something (as a verb). “Pray,” on the other hand, means to communicate with a deity or express a wish or hope, typically in a religious context.
It is pray tell with an “a.” This is an old-fashioned expression meaning “please explain” or “do tell.”
It is prey on your mind with an “e.” This phrase means that something is troubling or bothering you, much like how a predator preys on its victim.
