display empathy for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "display empathy for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of showing understanding and compassion towards someone else's feelings or experiences. Example: "In order to build strong relationships, it is important to display empathy for others, especially during difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And more broadly, there's a belief that leaders of all stripes should display empathy for the less fortunate.

The Washington Post

After facing criticism over choosing chauffeured rides over the subway, Mr. de Blasio has recently tried to display empathy for suffering riders.

The New York Times

In such circumstances, workers display empathy for families and stress the importance of establishing clear boundaries.

BMC Geriatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The result is a disturbing but appealing book" that displays "empathy for a woman normally thought of as inhumanly evil," Sheryl WuDunn said here in 2000.

The New York Times - Books

Show empathy for patients and their relatives.

BMC Health Services Research

Compliment them when they display empathy and good intentions for their siblings.

WikiHow

Debate has simmered for years about whether it's possible for animals to display empathy.

Science Magazine

Ms Allen criticised the Conservative's general election campaign for failing to display empathy and compassion - and said it had demonstrated that the gap between people's lives, and the "decision makers", had grown too big.

BBC

Although it's been known for more than five years that mice display empathy this has not been factored into a revision of the Federal Animal Welfare Act in the United States.

University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Maccoby, former director of the technology, public policy and human development program at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, advises underlings to display great empathy for such bosses' feelings, to understand their vulnerabilities and to always give them credit for the employees' own ideas.

The New York Times

But she didn't display much empathy for patients whose main problem might not be that their doctors don't communicate with one another (this is one of Fiorina's preoccupations), but that they don't have access to any doctors, because they can't get insurance.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "display empathy for", ensure the context clearly shows how empathy is being demonstrated, such as through active listening or offering support.

Common error

Avoid using "display sympathy for" when you mean "display empathy for". Sympathy involves feeling sorry for someone, while empathy involves understanding and sharing their feelings. Empathy is about walking in someone else's shoes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "display empathy for" functions as a verb phrase where "display" is the verb, "empathy" is the direct object and "for" introduces the indirect object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "display empathy for" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It signifies outwardly showing understanding and compassion towards others. While relatively rare in occurrence, its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. To enhance clarity, ensure the context explicitly illustrates how empathy is being demonstrated. When aiming for a formal tone, alternatives like "demonstrate understanding of" can be considered. Remember that "display empathy for" means more than just feeling sorry, it means truly understanding the feelings of others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand and share the feelings of

Elaborates on empathy by explicitly stating understanding and sharing feelings.

show compassion for

Replaces "empathy" with "compassion", emphasizing a feeling of concern and care.

recognize the suffering of

Highlights the acknowledgment of someone's pain or distress.

express sympathy for

Uses "sympathy" instead of "empathy", highlighting a feeling of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune.

be sensitive to

Highlights the quality of being aware and responsive to others' emotions.

demonstrate understanding of

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of understanding someone's situation.

be considerate of

Focuses on thoughtfulness and awareness of others' needs and feelings.

acknowledge the feelings of

Emphasizes recognizing and accepting someone's emotions.

relate to

Indicates an ability to connect with someone's feelings or experiences.

offer support to

Shifts the focus to providing help and comfort.

FAQs

How can I use "display empathy for" in a sentence?

You can use "display empathy for" to describe actions that show understanding and compassion. For example, "Leaders should "display empathy for" their team members during challenging times".

What's a more formal way to say "display empathy for"?

A more formal alternative to "display empathy for" is to "demonstrate understanding of", which emphasizes a cognitive approach to empathy.

Is there a difference between "display empathy for" and "show empathy for"?

"Display empathy for" and "show empathy for" are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "display" might suggest a more conscious or outward expression of empathy, while "show" is more general.

What are some situations where it's important to "display empathy for" someone?

It's important to "display empathy for" others during times of grief, hardship, or personal challenges. Doing so helps build stronger relationships and fosters a supportive environment.