200. pray 

(1) to speak to God, especially to give thanks or ask for help.

[v (that) ] We prayed (that) she would recover from her illness.

(2) to hope very much that sth will happen.

[v that] I prayed that nobody would notice my mistake.

201. preach  to tell people about a belief or a course of action in order to persuade them to accept it.

[v that] Health experts are now preaching that even a little exercise is far better than none at all.

202. predict  to say that sth will happen in the future.

[v (that) ] She predicted (that) the election result would be close. Ç [vn that] It was predicted that inflation would continue to fall.

203. prefer  (not used in the progressive tenses) to like one thing or person better than another; to choose one thing rather than sth else because you like it better.

[v that] (formal) I would prefer that you did not mention my name.

Some agencies prefer that provision should be made to make it easier for confused tenants to move on from sheltered housing.

204. prescribe   (used about a person or an organization with authority) to say what should be done or how sth should be done. 

[v that] Police regulations prescribe that an officer’s number must be clearly visible. 

For instance, while feeding the baby at the breast is a natural function, a custom may prescribe that breastfeeding should last until the child can walk or speak, etc.

205. presume  to suppose that sth is true, although you do not have actual proof.

[v (that) ] I presumed (that) he understood the rules.

[vn that] Little is known of the youngest son; it is presumed that he died young.

206. presuppose  to depend on sth in order to exist or be true.

[v that] His argument presupposes that it does not matter who is in power. 

207. pretend 

(1) to behave in a particular way, in order to make other people believe sth that is not true.

[v (that) ] He pretended to his family that everything was fine.

We pretended (that) nothing had happened.

(2) (especially of children) to imagine that sth is true as part of a game.

[v (that) ] Let’s pretend (that) we’re astronauts. 

(3) (usually used in negative sentences and questions) to claim to be, do or have sth, especially when this is not true.

[v (that) ] I don’t pretend (that) I know much about the subject, but … 

208. proclaim  to publicly and officially tell people about sth important.

[v that] The charter proclaimed that all states would have their own government. 

209. profess  to claim that sth is true or correct, especially when it is not.

[v that] Willard professed that the purpose of higher education for women was to enable them to be more enlightened and interesting companions for their husbands and better mothers for their sons.

210. promise  to tell sb that you will definitely do or not do sth, or that sth will definitely happen.

[v (that) ] The brochure promised (that) the local food would be superb.

Ianthe promised that she should make her a summer dress and with this managed to get rid of her.

[vn (that) ] You promised me (that) you’d be home early tonight.  

211. pronounce  to say or give sth formally, officially or publicly.

[v that]  She pronounced that an error had been made.

212. prophesy  to say what will happen in the future (done in the past using religious or magic powers)

[v that] She prophesied that she would win a gold medal.

213. propose  (formal) to suggest a plan, an idea, etc. for people to think about and decide on.

[v that] She proposed that the book be banned.

(BrE also) She proposed that the book should be banned.

[vn that] It was proposed that the president be elected for a period of two years. 

214. protest  to say firmly that sth is true, especially when you have been accused of sth or when other people do not believe you.

[v that] He protested that the journey was too far by car. 

215. prove  to use facts, evidence, etc. to show that sth is true.

[v (that) ] This proves (that) I was right.

[vn that] Can it be proved that he did commit these offences? 

216. provide    (formal) (of a law or rule) to state that sth will or must .

[v that] The final section provides that any work produced for the company is thereafter owned by the company.

217. put down    to write sth; to make a note of sth.

[v that] You can put down that I’m here under duress because your friend , Dr Kingsley, forced me to it.

218. quip    to make a quick and clever remark.

[v that] The chairman of American Airlines quipped that he would rather sell his airline than his computer systems.

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