feel for someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel for someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express empathy or compassion towards someone else's situation or feelings. Example: "When I heard about her loss, I really felt for her and wanted to offer my support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Of his relative fall from fashion, she says: "I feel for someone as brilliant as him.

The Guardian - Arts

HOW might it feel for someone who thinks of the Yankees as the "Evil Empire" to talk about life with their longtime pitcher?

The New York Times

You can't be human and not feel for someone who only wants to make a little money to send back home.

The New York Times

The pride you feel for someone else is astonishing, it gives you that little bit more warmth in your heart that you can go out and do it yourself".

The Guardian - Sport

Now that she is dead at the age of forty-eight, found at the Beverly Hilton, we face a new and weirder blend: the grief you feel for someone you didn't really know but are unable to pretend you weren't tied to, and the awkward truth that they've met the end you expected.

The New Yorker

Staffers also had praise for the representative, despite the controversy around her. "Regardless of the circumstances, you got to feel for someone who has logged the hours DWS has over the last five years," a former DNC official told the Guardian.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Imagine how it feels for someone like David Duval, who was once anointed the No. 1 golfer in the world.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1992 he was elected a Royal Academician and in 1998 he was knighted; not bad, he must have felt, for someone who had started out fixing punctures.

The Guardian

And every step of the way I felt, for someone who was relatively experienced in using all sorts of tools to feel good about the decisions I was making, I was shocked at the state of the art in being a healthcare consumer on my own.

TechCrunch

"Do you know how good it feels for someone to call you Daddy?" he asks.

Huffington Post

But most importantly, the pride and happiness they felt for someone they loved so dearly was clear.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel for someone" when you want to express empathy or understanding for their situation, especially if they are going through hardship or difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "feel for" when you mean to say you "feel sorry for" or "feel empathy for". While similar, "feel for" implies a general sense of compassion, while "feel sorry" or "feel empathy" are more direct expressions of specific emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel for someone" functions as a verb phrase expressing empathy or compassion. It indicates a sense of understanding and shared emotion for another person's situation, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel for someone" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to communicate empathy or compassion, according to Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, its usage is primarily seen in news and media, indicating a neutral to slightly informal register. To diversify your expression, consider synonyms like "have compassion for someone" or "sympathize with someone", always ensuring that your word choice aligns with the emotional tone you intend to convey. Avoid confusing the phrase with simply "feeling sorry" to maintain nuance and precision in communication. Therefore, be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation and choose your words carefully to effectively express your concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have compassion for someone

Emphasizes a deeper sense of caring and concern.

sympathize with someone

Focuses on sharing the feelings of another person.

have sympathy for someone

Offers a general sense of shared feeling and understanding.

empathize with someone

Highlights the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

be sorry for someone

Expresses regret or sadness for someone's situation.

be understanding of someone

Stresses the ability to comprehend someone's situation or feelings.

pity someone

Implies a feeling of sorrow and perhaps condescension for someone's misfortune.

be moved by someone's plight

Highlights being emotionally affected by someone's difficult situation.

ache for someone

Suggests a strong and deep feeling of sorrow or longing for someone.

grieve for someone

Indicates a deep sorrow, usually associated with loss.

FAQs

What does it mean to "feel for someone"?

To "feel for someone" means to experience empathy or compassion for them, often because they are in a difficult situation. It suggests understanding and sharing their emotions.

When is it appropriate to say "I feel for someone"?

It's appropriate to use "I feel for someone" when you want to express that you understand and are sympathetic to their suffering, challenges, or emotional state.

What can I say instead of "feel for someone"?

You can use alternatives like "have compassion for someone", "sympathize with someone", or "empathize with someone" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "feel for someone" or "feel sorry for someone"?

"Feel for someone" and "feel sorry for someone" are similar, but "feel for someone" often implies a deeper sense of empathy and understanding, while "feel sorry for someone" might suggest pity or condescension. Choose the phrase that best reflects your true sentiment.