elicit empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

"elicit empathy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation or action that causes other people to feel empathy or sympathy. For example, "The heartfelt stories shared by the homeless people were enough to elicit empathy from those who heard them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Does McBurney need these tricks to elicit empathy?

The Guardian

"Virtual reality has been called an empathy machine: a way to elicit empathy.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's a trick," as one of the prison guards (Susan Pourfar) says of Fay's ability to elicit empathy.

The New York Times

It was one of several games designed to elicit empathy and provide experiential insight into the lives of others.

The New Yorker

Ms. Crile's sincere desire to elicit empathy for her subjects is laudable, but none of her drawings have the gut-wrenching impact of the shameful photos themselves.

The New York Times

"Yet," the authors wrote, "it is precisely these revelations that could alter the tone of the discussion and perhaps elicit empathy between you".

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Maggie also had a hard time eliciting empathy from Molly, who lost a baby of her own.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We can fully believe this is what it's like to be a rabbit, and the association, even though it's a little crazy, elicits empathy.

The New York Times - Arts

Then, too, when it comes to eliciting empathy, it's the back of the line for reptiles and amphibians, creatures with, face it, not much in the way of a personality.

The New Yorker

Van Gogh is the artist who most elicits empathy, even as you guiltily sense that, had you met him at the time, you'd have crossed the road to avoid him.

Forbes

Other tragedies also drew people in, like the Boston Marathon bombings (27 million+ tweets), the mass kidnappings in Nigeria that gave rise to the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, or the Paris terror attacks which elicited empathy from around the world centered on the hashtag #PrayForParis.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elicit empathy" when you want to emphasize the act of intentionally drawing out or causing empathic feelings in others through specific actions or narratives.

Common error

Avoid using "elicit empathy" in contexts where the feeling of empathy arises naturally without any deliberate effort or specific trigger. Opt for phrasing that highlights the spontaneous emergence of empathy rather than a deliberate attempt to "elicit" it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicit empathy" functions as a verb phrase where "elicit" is a transitive verb and "empathy" is its direct object. It describes the action of causing or drawing out feelings of empathy from someone. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elicit empathy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the act of drawing out or creating feelings of empathy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and appropriate in various contexts. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence in News & Media and Science sources, often related to discussions of art, communication, and social impact. While alternatives such as "engender empathy" and "provoke empathy" exist, "elicit empathy" specifically emphasizes the intentional action of prompting these feelings. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with a deliberate effort to evoke empathy, rather than simply observing its spontaneous occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engender empathy

Replaces "elicit" with "engender", implying a more gradual and sustained development of empathy.

produce empathy

Substitutes "elicit" with "produce", focusing on the outcome of creating empathy.

provoke empathy

Replaces "elicit" with "provoke", suggesting a stronger, more immediate arousal of empathy.

arouse empathy

Replaces "elicit" with "arouse", implying the stirring up of pre-existing feelings of empathy.

foster empathy

Substitutes "elicit" with "foster", emphasizing the nurturing and development of empathy over time.

generate empathy

Replaces "elicit" with "generate", focusing on creating empathy from a less tangible source.

inspire empathy

Substitutes "elicit" with "inspire", suggesting that empathy arises from admiration or influence.

draw out empathy

Replaces "elicit" with "draw out", which implies that the empathy is already present and needs to be brought to the surface.

stimulate empathy

Substitutes "elicit" with "stimulate", indicating that empathy is being activated or encouraged.

cultivate empathy

Replaces "elicit" with "cultivate", implying that empathy is being carefully nurtured and developed.

FAQs

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

You can use "elicit empathy" to describe actions or situations that cause others to feel empathy. For example, "The speaker's personal story was powerful enough to "elicit empathy" from the audience."

What are some alternatives to "elicit empathy"?

Alternatives to "elicit empathy" include phrases like "engender empathy", "provoke empathy", or "foster empathy", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "elicit empathy" or "induce empathy"?

Both "elicit empathy" and "induce empathy" are grammatically correct, but "elicit" suggests a drawing out of existing feelings, while "induce" implies causing the feeling to arise. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean to "elicit empathy"?

To "elicit empathy" means to draw out or evoke feelings of understanding and compassion from others, often through sharing experiences or appealing to their sense of shared humanity.