capacity for empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

"capacity for empathy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to someone's ability to understand and share the feelings of another. For example, "Her capacity for empathy is what makes her such an effective leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their capacity for empathy is vast.

The Times

Here, Mitt Romney demonstrates his capacity for empathy.

The New York Times

Almost all human beings have the capacity for empathy.

The Guardian - Opinion

It makes you wonder if the long-time broadcaster lacks the capacity for empathy.

The Guardian - Sport

It's the sensation you are able to feel when you possess a capacity for empathy.

The Guardian - Opinion

And do such images play more on our capacity for empathy than action?

The Guardian

It can also narrow the capacity for empathy for the rest of us.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's also increasing evidence that in mice — and people too — stress decreases our capacity for empathy.

Harvard Business Review

What will this do to children's capacity for empathy, for care, for relationships?

The Washington Post

This is commendable and speaks well of our capacity for empathy and simple neighborliness.

Harvard Business Review

He was a man of strong principles and integrity and had an unbounded capacity for empathy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing leadership or interpersonal skills, use "capacity for empathy" to highlight the importance of understanding others' perspectives. For example, "Effective leaders demonstrate a high capacity for empathy."

Common error

Avoid implying that "capacity for empathy" alone resolves all conflicts or guarantees success. While crucial, it's most effective when combined with critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity for empathy" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the ability or potential to understand and share the feelings of others, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacity for empathy" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's frequently used in news, academic, and business contexts, highlighting its relevance in discussions of interpersonal skills, leadership, and psychological traits. While alternatives like "empathic ability" or "ability to empathize" exist, "capacity for empathy" provides a clear and widely accepted way to convey this important concept. When using the phrase, remember to avoid overstating its impact as a sole solution and consider it alongside other essential skills. The frequency of the phrase across various authoritative sources underscores its significance in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to empathize

Uses a verb form to emphasize the action of empathizing.

empathic ability

Replaces "capacity for" with a single adjective to describe the ability.

sensitivity to others' feelings

Emphasizes the awareness and responsiveness to the emotions of others.

level of empathy

Focuses on the degree or extent of empathy.

insight into emotions

Highlights the depth of understanding regarding emotions.

emotional understanding

Highlights the cognitive aspect of understanding emotions.

emotional intelligence

Replaces with a more formal and psychological term.

compassionate nature

Shifts the focus to an inherent quality of compassion.

vicarious understanding

Focuses on experiencing the feelings of another as if they were one's own.

fellow feeling

Uses a more concise and idiomatic expression for shared emotions.

FAQs

How can I demonstrate a greater "capacity for empathy"?

Actively listening to others, trying to understand their perspectives, and showing compassion can help you develop a greater "capacity for empathy".

What are some synonyms for "capacity for empathy"?

Alternatives include "empathic ability", "level of empathy", and "ability to empathize", each highlighting slightly different aspects of understanding and sharing feelings.

Is there a difference between "capacity for empathy" and "compassion"?

While related, "capacity for empathy" refers to the ability to understand others' feelings, while compassion involves acting on that understanding to alleviate suffering. Compassion often follows empathy.

Can a lack of "capacity for empathy" be a negative trait?

Yes, a limited "capacity for empathy" can hinder interpersonal relationships, leadership effectiveness, and overall social interactions. It can indicate a difficulty in understanding and connecting with others.