feeling sorry for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling sorry for" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing sympathy or compassion for someone else's situation. Example: "I am feeling sorry for her after hearing about her loss." Alternative expressions include "feeling pity for" and "having compassion for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm not feeling sorry for them.

The New York Times - Sports

That and not feeling sorry for herself.

The Guardian - Sport

I was feeling sorry for moths.

The Guardian - Music

"We won't be feeling sorry for ourselves.

The Guardian - Sport

"He wasn't feeling sorry for himself".

The New York Times

"I was feeling sorry for myself, helpless.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Is it me feeling sorry for Australia?

The Guardian - Sport

But Arena isn't feeling sorry for himself.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm just feeling sorry for myself.

The New Yorker

I am not feeling sorry for him.

The New Yorker

I was feeling sorry for myself.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeling sorry for" when you want to express empathy or compassion for someone's misfortune. Ensure the context is appropriate to avoid sounding condescending.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling sorry for" in a way that conveys excessive self-pity. It's more effective to frame personal struggles as challenges to overcome rather than reasons for continuous sorrow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling sorry for" functions as a verb phrase expressing empathy, sympathy, or compassion toward someone experiencing hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

18%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feeling sorry for" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to express empathy or compassion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts, most notably in News & Media, Wiki, and Sports. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to use it thoughtfully to avoid sounding condescending or excessively self-pitying. Consider alternatives like "sympathizing with" or "having compassion for" to fine-tune your expression of sympathy and be more accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being empathetic to

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

having compassion for

Emphasizes deep awareness and concern for someone's suffering.

sympathizing with

Focuses on sharing the feelings of another; implies a connection or understanding of their pain.

expressing sympathy towards

A more formal way of showing care and understanding for someone's hardship.

taking pity on

Suggests a deliberate choice to show compassion or leniency.

commiserating with

Highlights the shared experience of suffering or hardship.

pitying

Implies a feeling of sorrow and possibly condescension towards someone's misfortune.

regretting someone's situation

Focuses on the feeling of sorrow or disappointment about someone's circumstances.

lamenting for

Expresses deep sorrow or mourning, often for a loss or unfortunate situation.

deploring

Indicates strong disapproval and regret over a situation or event.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "feeling sorry for" someone?

When you are "feeling sorry for" someone, it means you are experiencing empathy or compassion for their misfortune, hardship, or difficult situation.

When is it appropriate to say I'm "feeling sorry for" someone?

It's appropriate to say you're "feeling sorry for" someone when they are experiencing a clear setback or hardship. Make sure your expression of sympathy comes across as genuine and supportive, not patronizing.

What are some alternative phrases for "feeling sorry for"?

You can use alternatives like "sympathizing with", "having compassion for", or "taking pity on" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

How can I express my sympathy without "feeling sorry for" someone?

Instead of "feeling sorry for" someone, you can focus on offering support, understanding, and encouragement. Acknowledge their situation and let them know you are there to help them through it. For example you can say 'I understand your situation' or 'I am here to support you'.