ask for pity

USAGE SUMMARY

"ask for pity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express a situation in which someone is begging for sympathy or feeling sorry for themselves. For example, "After explaining his financial difficulties, he asked for pity from his creditors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

She did not ask for pity, she never had.

The New Yorker

"Leonardo Cimino's van Gogh is a small, lively, appealing figure — appealing because he does not ask for pity," Brooks Atkinson wrote in The New York Times.

The New York Times - Arts

Nowhere in the lecture did either speaker ask for pity or campaign for more specialized means to better assist blind people in navigating urban environments.

University of California, Berkeley

She didn't often ask for pity, but when she did it was on her own terms, and couched as a joke.

The New Yorker

Aubyn, who, like Patrick, grew up in an ancient, aristocratic family that somehow conspired to lose or give away its fortune to others, does not ask for pity or wear his past misery on his sleeve.

The New York Times - Books

So passing us whose tender pity wraps the infant princes and the baby bears behind the glass of the lens you did not ask for pity or revenge, only an answer - Why you?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

We're not asking for pity, just understanding and acknowledgment.

The Guardian - Opinion

He wasn't asking for pity, only to be judged on what happened in between.

The Economist

"Nobody in the film is asking for pity or sympathy," she said.

The New York Times

'Now I know why salaries are so high,' they tell me, 'so that we won't complain when from one day to the next we are made redundant.' They are not asking for pity, to be sure.

The Guardian - Opinion

By saying that, I am not asking for pity – in the end, migrants themselves make this decision – but for an understanding of the lengths that people go to in order to assimilate into British culture, and of their long-lasting attachment to their other home.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about characters or individuals, use "ask for pity" to illustrate a deliberate choice to seek sympathy, revealing aspects of their personality or situation. For example, 'Despite the hardship, she refused to ask for pity, maintaining her dignity.'

Common error

Don't automatically assume that someone who doesn't "ask for pity" is strong or virtuous. They might be struggling silently and need support but are unable or unwilling to express their needs. Offer help without judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for pity" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of seeking sympathy or compassion from others. Ludwig examples showcase its use in both direct and indirect contexts, highlighting characters or situations where individuals are either explicitly or implicitly requesting sympathy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask for pity" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes seeking sympathy or compassion. Ludwig's examples show that it often appears in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While generally neutral, the phrase can sometimes carry a negative connotation, suggesting manipulation or weakness. Therefore, careful consideration of the context and intent is crucial. Alternatives such as "seek sympathy" or "plead for understanding" may offer more nuanced ways to convey the intended meaning. As Ludwig AI also indicates, the phrase is suitable for use in written English, offering a direct way to describe someone's plea for compassion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek sympathy

Focuses on the act of actively trying to get sympathy from others.

solicit compassion

Emphasizes a formal or deliberate request for compassionate understanding.

beg for mercy

Highlights a desperate plea for leniency or forgiveness, often in dire circumstances.

plead for understanding

Shifts the focus to requesting comprehension and acceptance rather than emotional sympathy.

elicit sympathy

Indicates causing sympathy to arise in others, often unintentionally.

invite compassion

Suggests creating an atmosphere or situation where compassion is a natural response.

call for empathy

Requests an understanding of another's feelings.

fish for compliments

Seeks praise or admiration in a subtle, often manipulative way.

cry for help

Signals a desperate need for assistance, often implying emotional distress.

play the victim

Assumes a role of suffering to gain sympathy or manipulate others.

FAQs

How can I use "ask for pity" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for pity" to describe someone seeking sympathy. For instance, "He didn't "ask for pity", but his situation was undeniably difficult."

What's a less direct way of saying "ask for pity"?

Instead of saying someone ""ask for pity"", you might say they "seek sympathy" or "solicit compassion", depending on the context.

Is there a negative connotation associated with "ask for pity"?

Sometimes, yes. While it can simply describe someone seeking comfort, it can also imply manipulation or weakness. Alternatives like "plead for understanding" might be more neutral.

What's the difference between "ask for pity" and "deserve pity"?

"Ask for pity" implies actively seeking sympathy, whereas "deserve pity" suggests someone's circumstances warrant compassion, regardless of whether they request it.