preach

/priːtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /priːtʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprēch/ (ame, mw)

preach — verb

  • preachpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • preacheshe / she / it
  • preachedpast simple
  • preaching-ing form

1. to speak to people at a worship service about God, faith, or how to live.

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to speak to people at a worship service about God, faith, or how to live.

例句

Pastor Kim preached on forgiveness at the Sunday service in Taipei.

preach on + topic

Hundreds gathered outside the tent while Sister Maria preached to them.

preach to + audience

同義詞
  • sermonize

    close in religious meaning, but often sounds old-fashioned or slightly critical.

  • proclaim

    broader and more public; not limited to church speaking.

  • speak

    much more general and does not by itself imply a religious message.

文法句型

preach on/about + topic

preach + noun + to + audience

用法筆記

Often used without an object when the religious talk itself is the focus. If there is a direct object, it is usually the message, while the listeners come after 'to'. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about pushing an idea or lifestyle more generally.

常見錯誤

❌Father Ruiz preached the church on Easter morning.
✅Father Ruiz preached in church on Easter morning.' / 'Father Ruiz preached to the church on Easter morning.
💡use 'in' for the place and 'to' for the listeners.
❌The nun preached the children kindness.
✅The nun preached kindness to the children.
💡when both message and audience are named, the audience follows 'to'.

2. to speak strongly for an idea or way of living because you want others to accept

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to speak strongly for an idea or way of living because you want others to accept it.

例句

The group travels from school to school preaching road safety.

preach + idea/value

On his radio show, Malik preached patience during the election week.

同義詞
  • advocate

    more neutral and common in formal discussion or policy writing.

  • promote

    often suggests active publicity, campaigns, or organized support.

  • evangelize

    stronger and more conversion-focused, especially in religion or tech culture.

反義詞
  • oppose

    to argue against the idea instead of urging people to accept it.

  • condemn

    to attack the belief or behavior rather than support it.

文法句型

preach + idea/value

preach + idea/value + to + audience

用法筆記

The direct object is usually the belief, value, or lifestyle itself, not the people listening. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is not limited to worship settings, and from sense 3: the tone is often earnest rather than irritating.

常見錯誤

❌The campaign preached people to recycle.
✅The campaign preached recycling to local families.
💡make the idea the direct object, not the listeners.
❌Our teacher preached us healthy eating.
✅Our teacher preached healthy eating to us.
💡put the audience after 'to'.

3. to talk at people for too long about what is right or proper, so they become imp

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to talk at people for too long about what is right or proper, so they become impatient.

例句

Dad kept preaching about table manners through the whole meal.

preach about + behavior

Nobody likes it when the coach preaches at tired players.

preach at + person

同義詞
  • lecture

    common everyday word for scolding or speaking at length in a superior way.

  • moralize

    focuses on talking about right and wrong, often pompously.

  • nag

    more repetitive and less formal; often about small daily habits.

文法句型

preach at/to + person

preach about + behavior

用法筆記

Almost always carries criticism from the speaker or listener. It is commonly followed by 'at' or 'to' before the person receiving the advice, unlike sense 2, where the speaker is earnestly supporting an idea.

常見錯誤

❌My aunt preached me about my clothes.
✅My aunt preached to me about my clothes.
💡use 'to' before the person receiving the advice.
❌The manager preached honesty at the staff all day.
✅The manager preached at the staff about honesty all day.
💡this sense usually needs 'at' or 'to' plus the people.