gain empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'gain empathy' is correct and perfectly usable in written English.
It means to develop or acquire the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Example: By reading books about different cultures and experiences, we can gain empathy for those who lead very different lives from our own.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We may lose hormones, but we gain empathy.

The New Yorker

"Through loving and stable relationships, they can gain empathy and trust.

Independent

(Think of Mark Zuckeberg's old business card: "I'm CEO…Bitch!") Inherent in the recent backlash against Parker, then, is a sense of regret such people are supposed to be ignored until they're old enough to gain empathy, unless they become dictators.

The New Yorker

In fact, humans only gain empathy for robots later in life.

TechCrunch

Table 2 Course activities aligned with the Kolb learning cycle (summarized from Nagel, Lewis, and Ludwig 2017) Concrete experience Students select and work in multidisciplinary teams to gain empathy for members of the community with a chronic illness, such as metabolic syndrome.

International Journal of STEM Education

There should be a German word for when you don't like someone, but then you hear them open up on a podcast and you gain empathy for them.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He is particularly close to his 10-year-old daughter, Chance, who lives with him five days a week, and says that he's gained empathy with women from her, but also through making peace with his mother.

The Guardian - Books

Gaining Empathy With a Tumultuous Life Privately, he had a difficult, and often public life, divorced from his first two wives, then married to (and later divorced from) Lauren Bacall, a relationship that underlined his image as someone in the tough-talking tradition of Ms. Bacall's first husband, Humphrey Bogart.

The New York Times

Also, through hearing about the experiences of other people, the listeners gained empathy, Wiessner said.

Los Angeles Times

I gained empathy for others in pain, and I perfected my wisecracking humor, and it worked.

Huffington Post

Back home, he observed and gained empathy for young children at a daycare center and talked with child life specialists to understand what pediatric patients go through.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gain empathy", consider specifying the group or individuals for whom empathy is being developed to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "gain empathy" in overly broad contexts without specifying the target group. Clearly define who the subject is gaining empathy for to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain empathy" functions as a verb phrase where "gain" acts as a transitive verb and "empathy" serves as its direct object. According to Ludwig, it describes the act of acquiring or developing the capacity to understand and share the feelings of another. The examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gain empathy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes the process of developing understanding and compassion for others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and useful phrase in written English. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting its relevance in discussions about social issues, personal development, and scientific research. When using "gain empathy", be sure to clarify the subject and object to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "develop empathy" and "cultivate empathy" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Ultimately, "gain empathy" is a powerful phrase for expressing the positive development of understanding and connection between individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop empathy

Focuses on the process of developing empathy over time.

cultivate empathy

Emphasizes intentional effort in fostering empathy.

foster empathy

Highlights the act of encouraging and nurturing empathy.

acquire empathy

Stresses obtaining empathy as a new quality.

build empathy

Suggests a gradual construction of empathetic understanding.

increase understanding

Shifts focus to the cognitive aspect of understanding others.

deepen compassion

Implies intensifying existing feelings of compassion.

grow in empathy

Highlights personal growth and increased empathy as a result.

enhance sensitivity

Emphasizes heightened awareness of others' feelings.

improve understanding

Focuses on making one's understanding of others better.

FAQs

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

You can use "gain empathy" to describe the process of developing understanding and compassion towards others. For example, "Through volunteering, she began to "gain empathy" for the homeless population".

What are some alternatives to "gain empathy"?

Some alternatives to "gain empathy" include "develop empathy", "cultivate empathy", or "foster empathy". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "gain empathy" or "develop empathy"?

"Gain empathy" and "develop empathy" are largely interchangeable. However, "develop empathy" may subtly imply a more gradual and continuous process, while "gain empathy" can suggest a more immediate acquisition.

What's the difference between "gain empathy" and "sympathize"?

"Gain empathy" refers to developing an understanding and sharing the feelings of another, while "sympathize" implies feeling sorrow or pity for someone's misfortune. Empathy is about understanding; sympathy is about feeling for.