a feeling of compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a feeling of compassion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an emotional response of empathy or concern for others' suffering or misfortune. Example: "After hearing her story, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of compassion for her situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"In a winter-hammered landscape," he writes, "the light creates a feeling of compassion... it is possible to imagine a stifling ignorance falling away from us".

The Guardian - Books

Growing up, Avedon heard his mother say to his sister Louise, who would eventually die, at 42, in a mental institution, "You're so beautiful you don't have to open your mouth". This notion that beauty can be intoxicating but, equally, impoverishing to the soul, Ms. Squiers said, tinged Avedon's early pictures with a feeling of compassion.

The New York Times

In this event, it is often helpful to reconnect to a feeling of compassion. 5. Reflect: When your interaction has ended and you have a moment to yourself, ask "what did I learn from this?" "What were the themes?" "What were the lessons?" Your interpretation will likely provide insight of how you are being in the world at the moment.

Huffington Post

"Sometimes, reading the diaries gives us a feeling of compassion; we are moved by the accounts"(Nurse 10). It adds a human dimension by revealing what the families go through, because as healthcare workers, we tend to maintain a lot of distance" (Resident 3).

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Therefore you are both merciful because You save the sorrowful and pardon sinners against You; and You are not merciful because You do not experience any feeling of compassion for misery".

SEP

There was more grief, of course, but also an omnipresent feeling of compassion, a desire for companionship and a yearning to believe something redemptive could come out of horrific tragedy.

The New York Times

According to Mencius, the sprout (duan; also meaning "beginning") of ren is a spontaneous feeling of compassion and commiseration within the human heart-and-mind (xin), the locus of both cognitive and affective functions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As much as it was hard to watch the painful initiations and rituals some of the people chose to put themselves through because of their deep love for what they believed, I still found myself moved by what moved them, and had an overwhelming feeling of compassion at how beautiful we are when we are in love, no matter what our devotion is, or reasons for love are.

HuffPost

However, disinterest in the gamut of samsaric experience and an increased feeling of compassion for those who suffer are pretty good signs.

WikiHow

He seemed like a pastor would -- I mean, a good pastor would be in my faith tradition, and seemed to have a genuine, a quite genuine feeling of compassion for the people that they were reaching out to, feeding, clothing, etc. Q.: Was there discussion about the Hsi Lai Temple in the United States or his faith's presence in the United States?

The New York Times

"Rather than competing and trying to bargain to the last advantage let's approach this all with a feeling of will and compassion and endurance for the long road ahead," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a feeling of compassion" to convey a sense of empathy and understanding towards others, particularly in contexts where suffering or hardship is involved. This phrase is effective for expressing a genuine emotional response.

Common error

Avoid overuse of abstract nouns like "feeling". While "a feeling of compassion" is correct, vary your language by using verbs or adjectives to describe compassionate actions or attitudes for a more engaging writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a feeling of compassion" functions primarily as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase correctly describes an emotional response. Examples show it denoting empathy and concern for others, as supported by its presence in diverse sentences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a feeling of compassion" is a grammatically sound and generally neutral phrase used to express empathy and concern for others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid way to describe an emotional response. While synonyms like "a sense of empathy" or "sympathy" exist, this phrase specifically highlights an emotional reaction to suffering. It's most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use it to genuinely convey emotional understanding and potential support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sense of empathy

Focuses on understanding another's feelings, shifting from general compassion to specific understanding.

a compassionate sentiment

Replaces "feeling" with "sentiment", emphasizing the thought or attitude behind the compassion.

an empathetic response

Highlights the reaction to someone's suffering, framing compassion as a response.

a tender regard

Uses more formal and gentle language to convey a caring and considerate attitude.

a sympathetic understanding

Combines empathy with understanding, stressing a cognitive aspect of compassion.

a heart full of kindness

Emphasizes the inherent kindness driving the compassionate feeling, changing the focus to a personal trait.

deep sympathy

Simple switch in adjectives, emphasizing that you are expressing profound condolences.

genuine solicitude

Uses formal language to express care and concern for someone's well-being.

pity and understanding

Expresses commiseration and recognizes the reasons for the misfortune.

humanity

Is an abstract value, while the initial phrase is a feeling, so the meaning shifts to a broader concept.

FAQs

How can I use "a feeling of compassion" in a sentence?

You can use "a feeling of compassion" to describe your emotional response to someone's suffering. For example, "I felt "a feeling of compassion" for the refugees after hearing their stories".

What's the difference between "a feeling of compassion" and "a sense of empathy"?

"A feeling of compassion" implies pity and concern, while "a sense of empathy" indicates understanding and sharing another person's emotions. Compassion often leads to a desire to alleviate suffering, whereas empathy focuses on emotional resonance.

What are some synonyms for "a feeling of compassion"?

Synonyms include "sympathy", "empathy", "pity", and "tenderness". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a feeling of compassion" formal or informal?

"A feeling of compassion" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "genuine solicitude" might be preferred in very formal settings.