Pray and Prey
Pray and prey are homophones. This means that they sound the same but have different spelling, meanings and uses. Here’s a definition of each:
-
- Pray is a verb and refers to human beings communicating with God.
- Prey is both a noun and a verb. As a noun it means being a victim or potential victim of harm. As a verb it means the act of harming.
Noun
It is an animal which is hunted by another animal.
It is a person who is vulnerable to being bullied or victimised.
Verb
To prey upon an animal or person means to exploit, attack, or victimise them.
Pray (verb)
To pray is to communicate with God.
Example
-
- The Lord’s prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
-
- Every morning, she prays for the health and happiness of her family.
- They gathered in the church to pray for peace.
- The congregation knelt in prayer to give thanks to God
- His mother prayed to God for her son’s safe return
Prey (noun)
Prey refers to an animal that is hunted by another animal for food. Prey are typically weaker and less able to defend themselves than comparable animals in the same environment.
Example
-
- In the African grasslands, the gazelle is prey to lions.
- The lion chased its prey across the savannah.
- In Britain, small rodents are prey to hawks.
- In the wild, smaller animals often become prey for larger predators.
- Mice are prey to cats.
Prey can also be a person who is vulnerable to exploitation or harm from those with criminal intent.
Examples
-
- Scammers target old people as easy prey for their criminal schemes.
- Pick pockets view unwary tourists as prey.
- Thieves target cashpoint users as prey.
- Bullies view weaker people as prey.
Prey (verb)
To prey means to hunt, attack, or exploit someone or something. Animals prey on other animals for survival. Some people may prey on other people for criminal gain.
Example
-
- Scammers prey on old people.
- Cybercriminals prey on those unfamiliar with online security.
- Thieves prey on cashpoint users.
- Pick pockets prey on unwary tourists.
- Wolves prey on rabbits.
In summary
As a noun, prey is the victim or target hunted by a predator.
As a verb, to prey or preying is the act of hunting or exploiting.
Just imagine
In a hostile environment, there is good cause to pray that one doesn’t become prey.
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