Look-alike words
Prophecy vs. Prophesy
Prophecy is a noun: a prediction of what will happen. Prophesy is a verb: to make that prediction. They sound different too: prophecy ends like see, and prophesy ends like sigh.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| prophecy | noun | a statement that says what will happen in the future |
| prophesy | verb | to say what will happen in the future, often as if with special knowledge |
Prophecy
noun: a statement that says what will happen in the future
- The old sailor's prophecy of a hard winter turned out to be right.
- Her grandmother's prophecies about the weather usually came true.
Prophesy
verb: to say what will happen in the future, often as if with special knowledge
- Fans prophesied that the young pitcher would become a star.
- No one can prophesy exactly how the housing market will move next year.
How to remember the difference
C for the thing, S for the action, just like advice and advise. A prophecy is what you hear; to prophesy is what you do.
Good to know
The plural noun is prophecies. The verb forms are prophesies, prophesied and prophesying. Because prophecies and prophesies look so alike, ask yourself whether you mean predictions (the noun) or predicts (the verb).
Spot the mistake
Every fall my neighbor tries to
prophecyprophesy how much snow we will get.Correct: Every fall my neighbor tries to prophesy how much snow we will get.
The movie is about an ancient
prophesyprophecy that comes true.Correct: The movie is about an ancient prophecy that comes true.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. The in the novel warns of a flood that will cover the city.
Answer: prophecy. The word names a thing, a prediction, so it is the noun prophecy.
2. Experts often the end of paper books, yet people still buy them.
Answer: prophesy. The word is an action, to predict, so it is the verb prophesy.