compassion for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compassion for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a feeling of sympathy or understanding for someone or something. For example: "She had great compassion for the homeless people living in her city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I have compassion for them.

The New York Times

He's urging compassion for them.

The New Yorker

Universal compassion, for instance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Compassion for him?

The New York Times

Is there no compassion for them?

The New York Times

Looking back you have compassion for yourself".

The New York Times - Arts

That is true compassion for the ill.

The New York Times

Compassion for the elderly is important, too.

The New Yorker

Some expressed compassion for their former classmate.

The New Yorker

Compassion for Sita was the driving focus.

The New York Times - Arts

He felt compassion for her.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compassion for" to express a deep understanding and care for someone suffering or facing hardship. It goes beyond simple sympathy and implies a willingness to help and support.

Common error

Avoid using "compassion for" as an excuse to enable negative behaviors. True compassion involves setting healthy boundaries and encouraging positive change, not condoning harmful actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compassion for" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It connects a feeling of deep sympathy and understanding (compassion) with the object of that feeling (for + the recipient). According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

27%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compassion for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express deep sympathy and understanding, as verified by Ludwig AI. It signals not just awareness of suffering but also a desire to alleviate it. This phrase appears frequently in news, academic writing, and everyday conversations. While "compassion for" is appropriate in many contexts, it's important to differentiate it from enabling harmful behaviors, focusing instead on support and positive change. Alternatives like "empathy for" or "understanding towards" can be used to express similar sentiments with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empathy for

Focuses more on understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

sympathy for

Implies a feeling of pity or sorrow for someone's misfortune.

pity for

Suggests a feeling of sorrow and perhaps condescension.

understanding towards

Emphasizes comprehension and acceptance of someone's situation.

kindness towards

Highlights the act of being gentle and considerate.

benevolence toward

Indicates a desire to do good for others.

consideration for

Focuses on being thoughtful and respectful of others' needs.

humanity toward

Emphasizes treating others with basic human decency.

charity toward

Implies giving help to those in need, often financially.

leniency toward

Suggests being merciful or forgiving in judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "compassion for" in a sentence?

Use "compassion for" to show understanding and care towards someone or something. For example, "She felt great "compassion for" the refugees who had lost their homes".

What's the difference between "sympathy for" and ""compassion for""?

"Sympathy for" involves feeling sorrow for someone's misfortune, while ""compassion for"" includes a deeper understanding of their suffering and a desire to help.

What are some alternatives to ""compassion for""?

Alternatives include "empathy for", "understanding towards", or "kindness towards", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to express ""compassion for"" someone?

While expressing ""compassion for"" someone is generally positive, ensure it's genuine and doesn't come across as condescending or patronizing. Consider the context and the individual's needs.