felt sorry for

USAGE SUMMARY

"felt 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 felt sorry for her when I heard about her loss. Alternative expressions include "had compassion for" and "sympathized with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I felt sorry for him".

The New York Times - Books

I felt sorry for Yisroel.

The New Yorker

"He felt sorry for me".

The New York Times - Sports

Ramon felt sorry for her.

The New Yorker

We felt sorry for them.

Yale University

I felt sorry for the poor sap.

The New Yorker

"The lads all felt sorry for Koulibaly.

Independent

I felt sorry for the Soviets.

The New York Times - Sports

He felt sorry for that baby.

The New Yorker

He felt sorry for the losers.

The New York Times - Sports

We all felt sorry for him.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "felt sorry for" to express empathy or compassion towards someone experiencing hardship or misfortune. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what you feel sorry for.

Common error

Avoid using "felt sorry for" when expressing self-pity, as it typically describes empathy towards others. Instead, use phrases like "felt sorry for myself" to accurately convey self-directed pity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt sorry for" functions as a verb phrase expressing empathy or compassion towards someone or something. It's used to convey a feeling of sorrow or pity for another's misfortune or hardship. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "felt sorry for" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express empathy or compassion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts. While there are alternatives like "pitied" or "had compassion for", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use it appropriately, avoiding self-pity contexts unless explicitly intended. This phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Academic writings, reflecting its broad applicability and emotional depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pitied

A more concise and direct way of expressing feeling sorry for someone.

had compassion for

Emphasizes a deeper level of understanding and sympathy.

felt sympathy for

A more formal way to express a similar sentiment of sorrow or pity.

felt compassion for

Similar to "had compassion for" but emphasizes the feeling itself.

was moved by

Focuses on the emotional impact that led to feeling sorry.

took pity on

Highlights the action of showing mercy or compassion.

was saddened by

Focuses on the sadness experienced due to someone else's misfortune.

my heart went out to

Expresses deep sorrow and empathy for someone's situation.

showed mercy towards

Emphasizes the act of being lenient or forgiving.

felt regret for

Indicates sorrow or remorse, often for one's own actions or circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "felt sorry for" in a sentence?

You can use "felt sorry for" to express sympathy or compassion. For example, "I "felt sorry for" her when I learned about her challenges".

What are some alternatives to saying "felt sorry for"?

Alternatives include "pitied", "had compassion for", or "felt sympathy for", each offering slightly different nuances of empathy.

Is it correct to say "feel sorry for myself"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "feel sorry for myself". It indicates self-pity or feeling compassion towards oneself.

What's the difference between "felt sorry for" and "pity"?

"Felt sorry for" is a phrase expressing empathy or compassion, while "pity" can sometimes imply a sense of superiority or condescension. Using "felt sorry for" often sounds more empathetic.