elicit compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elicit compassion" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to evoke or draw out feelings of sympathy or understanding towards someone or something. Example: The heartbreaking story of the orphaned children elicited compassion from the entire community, who came together to support them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

People know when they're being manipulated and they see gruesome images as a cheap trick to elicit compassion.

The Guardian

This imperfect show's greatest accomplishment may be its ability to elicit compassion for people we might, in real life, never have wanted to spend time with.

The New York Times

Poor things the reproduction from a glyph shows three: one sprawls in slack despair, gingerly cradling his left hand with his right, another gazes at his injuries with furious incomprehension, while the last lifts his mutilated fingers to the conquering warriors as though to elicit compassion for what's been done to him: they, elaborately armored, glowering at one another, don't bother to look.

The New Yorker

Large losses of life that are represented simply as numbers or statistics lack imagery and feeling, failing in the process to motivate us to take action and help others, whereas an image of a single identified victim (be it a person or an animal)1 may strike us more powerfully than numbers, and elicit compassion, according to Slovic (2007).

Functional Linguistics

(This is a great one; Sadness, when expressed openly, works to elicit compassion and empathy from others, which then leads to bonding and connection).

Huffington Post

A series of numbers leaped out of the media this week, both of which represent disasters -- yet neither of which was reported in a way that would elicit compassion or a fundraising campaign with or without a media event.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The way the AIDS activist and playwright Larry Kramer compulsively elicited anger, she compulsively elicits compassion.

The New York Times - Magazine

Passion in the character is what elicits compassion in the observer; it's hard to feel much for someone who feels nothing.

The New York Times - Books

Opal Alladin conveys Prix's inner life with elegance, almost eliciting compassion when the character cannot remember a disabling injury she inflicted.

The New York Times

The immediate effect is stagy, but over time boredom, tension and affection -- among the drifters, and in Ms. Wearing's reaction to them -- complicate matters emotionally, ultimately eliciting compassion.

The New York Times - Arts

The present multimodal analysis has revealed tangible ways of eliciting compassion and sympathy from the readers of fundraising letters through the letters' visual design.

Functional Linguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "elicit compassion", ensure your message is genuine and focuses on the human element of the situation. Avoid manipulative tactics that can undermine your credibility.

Common error

Be mindful of not excessively relying on emotional appeals to "elicit compassion". Overdoing it may lead to compassion fatigue or skepticism from your audience. Balance emotional elements with factual information and solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicit compassion" functions as a verb phrase where "elicit" is a transitive verb requiring an object (in this case, "compassion"). It describes the act of drawing forth or evoking feelings of compassion from someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "elicit compassion" is a grammatically correct and meaningful expression used to describe the act of drawing forth feelings of sympathy and understanding. While not exceedingly common, Ludwig examples reveal its presence in varied contexts, including News & Media and Scientific publications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity, and several related phrases, such as "evoke compassion" and "arouse compassion", offer similar nuanced alternatives. When using the phrase, it's vital to maintain authenticity and balance, avoiding manipulative tactics or overuse of emotional appeals to maintain credibility and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke compassion

Emphasizes the act of summoning or calling forth compassion, similar to "elicit compassion".

arouse compassion

Focuses on stirring up or awakening feelings of compassion in someone.

generate compassion

Highlights the creation or production of feelings of compassion.

inspire compassion

Suggests a more uplifting or motivational effect in creating compassion.

foster compassion

Implies nurturing and encouraging the growth of compassion over time.

ignite compassion

Suggests a sudden and intense burst of compassion.

draw out compassion

Focuses on extracting compassion that may already be present but latent.

provoke compassion

Highlights a more forceful or reactive emergence of compassion.

encourage empathy

Shifts focus to empathy as the precursor or foundation for compassion.

stimulate sympathy

Similar to "elicit compassion", but emphasizes sympathy as the emotional response.

FAQs

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

You can use "elicit compassion" to describe actions or stories that evoke feelings of sympathy and understanding, such as: "The charity's campaign aimed to "elicit compassion" for the refugees".

What's the difference between "elicit compassion" and "evoke compassion"?

"Elicit compassion" and "evoke compassion" are very similar. "Elicit" suggests drawing out a response, while "evoke" emphasizes bringing a feeling or memory into the conscious mind. The difference is subtle and they are often interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "elicit compassion"?

You can use alternatives like "arouse compassion", "inspire compassion", or "generate compassion" depending on the context.

Is it better to "elicit compassion" or "demand compassion"?

"Elicit compassion" is preferable as it implies a natural and genuine response. "Demand compassion" suggests force or entitlement, which can be counterproductive and less likely to achieve the desired outcome.