What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spae
Example
The old woman claimed to spae the future through her dreams. [spae: verb]
Example
He had a spaeing ability that allowed him to see visions of things yet to come. [spaeing: gerund or present participle]
prophesy
Example
The prophet prophesied that a great flood would come and destroy the city. [prophesied: past tense]
Example
She claimed to have the gift of prophesy and could receive messages from God. [prophesy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prophesy is more commonly used than spae in modern English. Prophesy has a wider range of applications and is still used in religious and non-religious contexts, while spae is an archaic term that is not commonly used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spae and prophesy?
Both spae and prophesy have formal connotations due to their association with supernatural or religious abilities. However, prophesy is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while spae is an archaic term that is typically only used in historical or literary contexts.