express empathy for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express 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 her speech, she took a moment to express empathy for the victims of the tragedy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

They express empathy for the victims and their families.

The New York Times

Whether or not you feel like you did anything wrong, Greer says it's important to express empathy for your partner's bruised feelings.

Huffington Post

Part of this is a result of our tendency for acceptance by degrees: as a society we often express empathy for the new or the "strange" incrementally, engaging first with the aspects of an issue that seem the least alien to us, and slowly working out from there.

Huffington Post

If you don't know how to handle the answer, simply listen well and express empathy for the other person.

WikiHow

Express empathy for their reasoning, as you hear them out.

WikiHow

Next time, I'll put a reminder in my calendar so I remember".. Express empathy for the other person.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He also expressed empathy for the Gaza families that would be uprooted.

The New York Times

He has joined Senator Barack Obama in expressing empathy for the travails of ordinary workers, and in calling for change.

The New York Times

Last week, the new president of the Spokane NAACP chapter, Naima Quarles-Burnley, expressed empathy for her predecessor while gently denouncing her.

The Guardian

Prior said that he met Strasburg once, and that it was briefly, but he expressed empathy for him.

The New York Times - Sports

But he expressed empathy for Mickelson, who joins Murphy in a unique club, one whose membership neither man sought.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "express empathy for", ensure that your words and actions genuinely reflect understanding and care for the other person's feelings. Avoid insincere or superficial expressions.

Common error

Avoid using "express empathy for" when you actually mean to express pity. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others, while pity implies a feeling of superiority and sorrow for someone's misfortune.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express empathy for" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of showing understanding and compassion towards another person's feelings or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and provides various examples of its application in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "express empathy for" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to describe the act of showing understanding and compassion toward another person's feelings. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news, media and wiki sources. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that your words and actions genuinely reflect your understanding and care, distinguishing empathy from mere pity. Consider alternatives like "show compassion for" or "demonstrate understanding toward" to better suit the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show compassion for

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

have compassion for

Similar to "show compassion", emphasizing the internal feeling.

sympathize with

A more direct way of saying "feel sympathy for".

demonstrate understanding toward

Focuses on the act of showing comprehension of someone else's situation.

be understanding of

Focuses on being receptive and accepting of someone's situation.

acknowledge the feelings of

Focuses on recognizing and validating someone's emotions.

offer condolences to

Specifically used in situations of grief or loss, offering sympathy.

express concern for

Highlights the act of showing worry and care for someone's well-being.

share in the suffering of

Highlights the act of feeling and understanding another's pain.

feel for

An informal way to say "have sympathy for".

FAQs

How do you "express empathy for" someone effectively?

To effectively "express empathy for" someone, actively listen to their concerns, acknowledge their feelings, and respond in a way that shows you understand and care about their experience. Use verbal and nonverbal cues to demonstrate your support.

What can I say instead of "express empathy for"?

You can use alternatives like "show compassion for", "sympathize with", or "demonstrate understanding toward" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to "express empathy for" someone who has wronged you?

Yes, it can be appropriate to "express empathy for" someone who has wronged you, especially if you are seeking reconciliation or understanding. This does not excuse their actions, but it can help to foster a more constructive dialogue.

What is the difference between "expressing sympathy for" and "express empathy for"?

While "expressing sympathy for" someone involves feeling sorry for their situation, "express empathy for" goes a step further by involving a deeper understanding and sharing of their feelings. Empathy is about putting yourself in their shoes, while sympathy is more about feeling bad for them.