Prophecy or Prophesy?

What Is the Difference between "Prophecy" and "Prophesy"?

"Prophecy" and "prophesy" are easy to confuse.
  • "Prophecy" is knowledge of the future (from a divine source).
    • It was an accurate prophecy. correct tick
    • ("Prophecy" is a noun.)
  • "Prophesy" means to predict the future (with divine inspiration).
    • He will prophesy the future of mankind. correct tick
    • ("Prophesy" is a verb.)
Click to hear how "prophecy" and "prophesy" are pronounced:

prophecy or prophesy?

Prophecy

"Prophecy" is a noun. (The last syllable of prophecy is pronounced "sea.") A prophecy is "knowledge of the future," usually said to have come from a divine source.

Example sentences with "prophecy":
  • The prophet has revealed his latest prophecy in which three cities are razed to the ground. correct tick
  • On the second day of the course, we will study the prophecies of Nostradamus. correct tick
  • ("Prophecies" is the plural of "prophecy.")

Prophesy

"Prophesy" is a verb. (The last syllable of prophesy is pronounced "sigh.") "To prophesy" means "to predict the future" - usually with divine inspiration.
PersonPersonal PronounConjugation of "To Prophesy"
First Person Singular I prophesy
Second Person Singular you prophesy
Third Person Singular he/she/it prophesies
First Person Plural we prophesy
Second Person Plural you prophesy
Third Person Plural they prophesy
The past tense and the past participle are "prophesied."

Example sentences with "prophesy":
  • He prophesies a great war between East and West. correct tick
  • He prophesied that a flood would cover the Earth. correct tick
  • (This is an example of "to prophesy" in the past tense.)

Beware

There is no such word as "prophesize" (or "prophesise" small British flag).
  • He will prophesize the future of mankind. wrong cross
  • (This should be "prophesy.")
  • He often prophesizes for money. wrong cross
  • (This should be "prophesies.")
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This page was written by Craig Shrives.