driven by sympathy

USAGE SUMMARY

"driven by sympathy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone who is acting out of empathy and acts with compassion towards others. For example, "She made the decision to volunteer for the homeless shelter, driven by sympathy for those without a place to call home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Jacques is driven by sympathy for the non-western world.

The Guardian - Opinion

At one level, this movement on behalf of oppressed farm animals is emotional, driven by sympathy at photos of forlorn pigs or veal calves kept in tiny pens.

The New York Times

The diurnal motion of the world system (9th sphere) is driven by sympathy; it carries the heavens westward around the earth.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He and the police chief, Raymond Kelly, described Mr Pimentel as a "lone wolf", who was driven by his sympathies with al-Qa'ida to plot to attack targets.

Independent

If Mr. Karales's method was akin to that of the black press, it was driven not by sympathy — the motivation Mr. Cox ascribes to it — but by empathy.

The New York Times

He charged that Catalan politicians wanted to dismantle the Salamanca archive, driven by "ideological hatred" rather than sympathy for the victims of Franco.

The New York Times

The country is being driven by an outpouring of national sympathy for those displaced by the latest disaster, even as some Japanese quietly question whether it makes sense to begin an expensive reconstruction of communities that were withering long before the 2011 earthquake.

The New York Times

Clark was driven by a sense of justice, a deep sympathy with crime victims, which sometimes led to emotional outbursts.

The Guardian - Books

He viewed Van Vechten as a hustler, driven by "a mixture of commercialism and patronizing sympathy," and treated the novel as a quaint artifact of a less enlightened literary era: the scribblings of a former hipster who no longer seemed very hip.

The New Yorker

His Soames Forsyte — like Brody, his character on "Homeland" — is driven by a cause he believes is just and evokes sympathy for his torment if not his misguided actions.

The New York Times - Arts

George Charamba, a spokesman for President Robert Mugabe, said the increase in confrontations in recent days was driven by the white farmers in a ploy to win sympathy in the United States and among the Commonwealth nations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driven by sympathy", ensure the context clearly indicates the target of the sympathy and the resulting action or motivation. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "driven by sympathy" excessively in formal or business writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound overly emotional. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "motivated by" or "guided by" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by sympathy" functions as a participial phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the motivating force behind someone's actions or decisions. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "driven by sympathy" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions motivated by compassion and concern for others. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and science contexts, it effectively conveys the idea of being motivated by empathetic feelings. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the recipient of the sympathy and the resulting action to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of the potential for sounding overly sentimental in formal writing and consider using alternatives like "motivated by compassion" for a more neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by compassion

Focuses more directly on the feeling of compassion as the primary motivator.

guided by empathy

Emphasizes understanding and sharing the feelings of others as the guiding force.

powered by altruism

Highlights selfless concern for the well-being of others as the main driver.

compelled by fellow feeling

Stresses a sense of shared humanity and connection as the compelling reason for action.

moved by understanding

Emphasizes the comprehension of another's situation as the catalyst for action.

inspired by benevolence

Indicates a disposition to do good, acting out of kindness and generosity.

prompted by pity

Implies a sorrowful feeling that initiates action, often suggesting a more superficial level of concern.

influenced by tenderheartedness

Highlights the gentle and caring nature that affects one's actions.

led by charitable impulse

Suggests a spontaneous urge to help those in need, highlighting the act of charity.

actuated by humanitarianism

Highlights a broader concern for human welfare as the driving factor, suggesting a more systemic approach.

FAQs

How can I use "driven by sympathy" in a sentence?

You can use "driven by sympathy" to describe someone whose actions are motivated by compassion for others. For example, "The volunteer was "driven by sympathy" for the refugees and dedicated her time to helping them.

What are some alternatives to "driven by sympathy"?

Alternatives include "motivated by compassion", "guided by empathy", or "prompted by pity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "driven with sympathy" instead of "driven by sympathy"?

No, "driven with sympathy" is not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use is "by". Therefore, ""driven by sympathy"" is the accurate and accepted phrase.

What's the difference between "driven by sympathy" and "driven by empathy"?

"Driven by sympathy" implies feeling sorrow or concern for someone's misfortune, whereas "driven by empathy" suggests a deeper understanding and sharing of another's feelings. Empathy involves a stronger connection and identification with the other person's experience.