feel empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel empathy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom often used to express a feeling of understanding and sympathy for another person. For example, "She was moved by her friend's story and couldn't help but to feel empathy for her difficult situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You feel empathy.

The New York Times

"She can feel empathy," Tara told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

So, you feel empathy for Anwar?

The Guardian - Film

Like, we worry about hurting others, because we feel empathy.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is impossible not to feel empathy for this man.

The New York Times

"I feel empathy for her," the composer added.

The Guardian - Music

King wants us to feel empathy for Jack.

The Guardian - Books

"You feel empathy with Vera Brittain," says Walter.

The Guardian - Books

Executioners seek to maintain their detachment, but they often begin to feel empathy or depression.

The New Yorker

The former we feel empathy for, the latter we lock up".

The New Yorker

A. I think you can feel empathy pretty fast from people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel empathy" when you want to emphasize the emotional experience of understanding and connecting with another person's feelings. It highlights a deep, personal connection.

Common error

While both involve understanding another person's feelings, empathy means you share those feelings, while sympathy means you feel pity or sorrow for them. Ensure you're conveying the correct emotion by choosing the right word.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel empathy" functions as a verb phrase, where "feel" is the main verb and "empathy" is the object. Ludwig examples show it expressing the subjective experience of understanding and sharing another's emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

22%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel empathy" is a common and grammatically sound way to express understanding and sharing another person's emotions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. The analysis reveals that it's most frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts, indicating its relevance across various discourse types. While synonyms like "show compassion" or "sympathize with" exist, "feel empathy" specifically emphasizes the emotional connection and shared experience. When using this phrase, remember that empathy is about understanding with someone, not just feeling for them, avoiding confusion with sympathy. In short, "feel empathy" effectively communicates a deep, personal connection with another's emotional state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sympathize with

Indicates a feeling of pity or sorrow for someone's misfortune.

put yourself in someone's shoes

Highlights the act of imagining oneself in another person's situation to understand their feelings.

show compassion

Focuses more on the outward action of demonstrating care, rather than the internal feeling of understanding.

have compassion for

Similar to showing compassion, but emphasizes an inherent quality.

understand another's feelings

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of comprehending someone else's emotional state.

be sensitive to

Indicates an awareness and consideration of another person's emotions or situation.

share someone's pain

Highlights the connection and shared experience of suffering.

have fellow feeling

Implies a sense of shared humanity and understanding.

relate to

Suggests a personal connection or shared experience that enables understanding.

be moved by

Focuses on the emotional impact of someone's situation on the observer.

FAQs

What does it mean to "feel empathy"?

To "feel empathy" means to understand and share the feelings of another person. It's about putting yourself in their position and experiencing their emotions as if they were your own.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "feel empathy"?

You can use "feel empathy" when describing a situation where you deeply understand and connect with someone else's emotional state. It's often used in discussions about relationships, social issues, and personal growth.

What are some synonyms for "feel empathy"?

Some synonyms include "sympathize with", "understand another's feelings", "show compassion", or "relate to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "feel empathy" differ from "feel sympathy"?

"Feel empathy" involves understanding and sharing another person's emotions, while "feel sympathy" implies feeling pity or sorrow for someone's misfortune. Empathy is about connection; sympathy is about concern.