foster empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

"foster empathy" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to encourage or promote the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Example: "The teacher's goal is to foster empathy among her students by encouraging them to listen and show compassion towards their classmates' experiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Learn how to foster empathy for immigrants.

University of California, Berkeley

4. Foster empathy for the victim.

University of California, Berkeley

The goal is to foster empathy in young children.

The New York Times

How can we foster empathy so that it builds reciprocity?

Stanford University

These things can be learned, and the connectedness that they prompt can also foster empathy.

The New York Times - Health

Also, she added, to foster empathy for those who go without.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Explore how fiction fosters empathy.

University of California, Berkeley

By fostering empathy, inclusiveness will follow.

The Guardian

The old saying "Do as I do" has particular relevance for fostering empathy in children.

The New York Times - Health

We see five main conditions necessary for fostering empathy in couples' lives.

University of California, Berkeley

CIT aims at fostering empathy between officers and the most troubled members of the community.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "foster empathy", consider specific actions that promote understanding and connection, such as active listening exercises or perspective-taking activities.

Common error

Avoid confusing "fostering empathy" with merely expressing sympathy. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another, while sympathy is more about feeling sorry for someone. Actions to "foster empathy" should focus on understanding perspectives, not just offering condolences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "foster empathy" is as a verb phrase where "foster" acts as a transitive verb taking "empathy" as its direct object. It describes the action of encouraging or developing empathy. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

34%

News & Media

52%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foster empathy" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of encouraging or developing empathy. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. It's most frequently found in academic and news media contexts, as evidenced by numerous examples from sources like the University of California, Berkeley, and The New York Times. While alternatives like "cultivate empathy" or "encourage empathy" exist, "foster empathy" remains a direct and widely understood way to express the importance of promoting emotional understanding and connection. Remembering to focus on the understanding and sharing of feelings is key when attempting to "foster empathy".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate empathy

Replaces "foster" with "cultivate", emphasizing a more gradual and nurturing development of empathy.

encourage empathy

Substitutes "foster" with "encourage", focusing on promoting empathy through support and motivation.

promote empathy

Uses "promote" instead of "foster", highlighting the act of actively advancing empathy.

develop empathy

Replaces "foster" with "develop", stressing the gradual growth and improvement of empathy.

nurture empathy

Substitutes "foster" with "nurture", suggesting a caring and supportive approach to developing empathy.

instill empathy

Uses "instill" in place of "foster", emphasizing the act of firmly planting empathy within someone.

build empathy

Replaces "foster" with "build", highlighting the gradual construction of empathy over time.

generate empathy

Substitutes "foster" with "generate", focusing on creating or producing empathy.

increase empathy

Uses "increase" instead of "foster", emphasizing the act of making empathy greater in degree or amount.

stimulate empathy

Replaces "foster" with "stimulate", stressing the act of arousing or encouraging empathy.

FAQs

How can I use "foster empathy" in a sentence?

You can use "foster empathy" in sentences like "Educational programs can "foster empathy" among students" or "Storytelling is a powerful tool to "foster empathy" within communities".

What can I say instead of "foster empathy"?

You can use alternatives like "cultivate empathy", "encourage empathy", or "promote empathy" depending on the context.

Is it better to "foster empathy" or "teach empathy"?

While both phrases are valid, ""foster empathy"" suggests a more nurturing and gradual development of empathy, whereas "teach empathy" implies a direct instructional approach. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "fostering empathy" and "having compassion"?

"Fostering empathy" refers to actively developing the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. "Having compassion", on the other hand, is feeling concern for someone's suffering. You "foster empathy" to increase compassion.