Prophecy or Prophesy?

By Ranjana S.

If you are making a prediction- you are looking into the future. You expect the youth to emerge as winners in all realms in the coming years. That is your prophecy.

You prophesy that the Indian team would bag the cricket world cup next year.

The distinction between prophecy and prophesy is one of function.

§  Prophecy is a noun:

§  Singular - prophecy

§  Plural-prophecies

§  Pronunciation- proff-e-see, proff-e-sees

With the s, prophesy is a verb.

§  Present Tense: prophesy, prophesies

§  Past Tense: prophesied

§  Present Participle: prophesying

§  Pronunciation: proff-e-sigh, proff-e-sighs, proff-e-sighed, proff-e-sighing

Some illustrations:

§  She is an expert at (prophecying----incorrect,prophesying----correct).

§  She is expert in (prophesy----incorrect, prophecy----correct).

§  The saint made many dire (prophesies----incorrect, prophecies----correct).

§  He (prophecied-----incorrect, prophesized----incorrect, prophesied----correct) that the communist rule will end.

§  Do you (prophecy----incorrect, prophesy---correct)the rehabilitation of the refugees.