"Obay" is a misspelling of the word "obey." The misspelling "obay" with an "a" should be corrected to "obey" with an "e" for proper communication.

"Obey" is a verb that means to comply with or follow a command, rule, law, or authority figure's instructions. When someone obeys, they act in accordance with the given directive, demonstrating submission or adherence to the established order or authority. It implies doing what is expected or required without resistance or defiance. For example, a person might obey traffic laws by following speed limits and traffic signals, or a child might obey their parents' instructions by completing their homework or chores.

Through the Google Books Ngram Viewer, we can see that "obey" has a much higher use than its misspelling "obay" in Google’s database of published books in both American and British English since the year 1800.

Google Ngram Viewer: obay vs. obey

The misspelling of "obey" as "obay" may occur because the pronunciation of "obey" and "obay" can be quite similar. You can use an AI-powered grammar checker, such as Engram, to prevent such mistakes.

Example sentences

  1. The students were expected to obey the school's dress code.
  2. Drivers must obey traffic signals to ensure road safety.
  3. It is crucial for citizens to obey the laws of their country.
  4. The soldier was disciplined for failing to obey orders from his commanding officer.
  5. Parents often expect their children to obey household rules.
  6. Employees are required to obey workplace policies and procedures.
  7. The dog was well-trained and would obediently respond to its owner's commands.
  8. In a democracy, it is essential for leaders to obey the will of the people.
  9. The protesters refused to obey the curfew imposed by the government.
  10. Obeying safety protocols is vital when working in a hazardous environment.
  11. "Obay" is not a valid word in the English language; the correct spelling is "obey."
  12. You have a spelling error in your text; it should be "obey," not "obay."
  13. The word "obay" is not recognized in English dictionaries; you should use "obey" instead.
  14. Please correct the spelling mistake; it is "obey," not "obay."
  15. "Obay" is an incorrect spelling; the standard and accepted form is "obey."

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Reference:

obey
1. to act according to what you have been asked or ordered to do by someone in…