“A pray” or “a prayer”: which is correct?
a prayer
The short answer
The correct usage depends on the intended meaning. If referring to the act of praying, the correct form is a prayer. If describing the action, pray remains a verb without an article.
Why people get it wrong
People may mistakenly use a pray due to confusion between the verb pray and the related noun prayer.
What kind of mistake it is
Grammatical error due to misuse of a verb as a noun
Examples with a prayer
- She said a prayer for her family’s safety.
- They offered a prayer at the ceremony.
- He wrote a heartfelt prayer.
Quick check
She said for her family’s safety.
The correct usage depends on the intended meaning. If referring to the act of praying, the correct form is a prayer. If describing the action, pray remains a verb without an article.
Spotted a mistake in this article? Tell us