What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pray
Example
She prayed for her family's safety during the storm. [pray: verb]
Example
I pray that I will find a job soon. [pray: verb]
Example
His daily prayers helped him find inner peace. [prayers: noun]
petition
Example
The citizens submitted a petition to the government to improve public transportation. [petition: noun]
Example
She petitioned the school board to change the dress code policy. [petition: verb]
Example
The organization collected signatures for their petition to protect the environment. [petition: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pray is more commonly used in religious or spiritual contexts, while petition is more commonly used in legal or political contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pray and petition?
Petition is more formal and legalistic than pray, which is often associated with informal or personal contexts.
