garner pity

USAGE SUMMARY

"garner pity" is a grammatically correct phrase, and is usable in written English.
It means to evoke or inspire pity or sympathy. For example: John's sad story of childhood abandonment was sure to garner pity among those who heard it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I grew up with no role models in TV or film — except in telethons, and then it was to garner pity — and there are still so very few.

The New York Times

In addition to offering a narrative of her sufferings during the Cultural Revolution, Jen puts her, in the last (and completely extraneous) hundred pages, through a series of horrors that seem designed solely to garner pity for this nanny version of Eve Harrington.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"[Garner] should not have resisted, but all Americans, every one of us, should pity Mr. Garner and his family," O'Reilly said, adding that he was "extremely troubled" by the video and would have loosened his grip after hearing Garner say he couldn't breathe.

Huffington Post

Referee: G Garner (London).

Independent

Garner ordered "dead duck".

Independent

Referee: G Garner (RFU).

Independent

Referee: G Garner (Warwickshire).

Independent

"Pity, that".

The New York Times

Garner was later declared dead.

The New Yorker

Pity, perhaps.

Independent

I hate writing,'" Garner said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "garner pity" when you want to emphasize the accumulation or collection of sympathetic feelings as a result of a specific situation or action. It suggests a deliberate or inadvertent drawing of sympathy.

Common error

Avoid using "garner pity" interchangeably with phrases like "deserve sympathy". "Garner" specifically refers to the act of accumulating or drawing something, not necessarily being entitled to it. Ensure the context involves an element of attracting or receiving pity, not just a state of being worthy of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "garner pity" functions as a verb phrase, where "garner" acts as a transitive verb taking "pity" as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase means to evoke or inspire pity or sympathy. Examples from Ludwig show the phrase used to describe actions intended to gain sympathy.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "garner pity" is a grammatically correct phrase, although rare in usage. As Ludwig AI notes, it means to evoke or inspire pity. Predominantly found in news and media, it describes the act of attracting sympathy, sometimes with a negative connotation. Related phrases include "elicit sympathy" and "attract sympathy". Use the phrase carefully, considering its potential to imply manipulation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elicit sympathy

Focuses on drawing out sympathy rather than accumulating it.

invoke compassion

Emphasizes the calling forth of compassionate feelings.

attract sympathy

Highlights the drawing in of sympathetic feelings from others.

court sympathy

Suggests actively seeking sympathy.

seek compassion

Directly implies the act of searching or hoping for compassion from others.

gain sympathy

Implies achieving or earning sympathy.

obtain pity

Focuses on the act of acquiring pity.

win over sympathy

Suggests a process of convincing others to feel sympathetic.

stir up compassion

Highlights the act of arousing deep feelings of compassion.

generate empathy

Emphasizes the creation of empathic feelings in others.

FAQs

How can I use "garner pity" in a sentence?

You can use "garner pity" to describe a situation or action that evokes sympathy from others. For example: "The politician's sob story was a transparent attempt to "garner pity" from voters."

What are some alternatives to "garner pity"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "elicit sympathy", "attract sympathy", or "invoke compassion".

Is it appropriate to use "garner pity" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "garner pity" might sound slightly manipulative in formal writing. Consider using a more neutral alternative like "elicit sympathy" or "inspire compassion" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "garner pity" and "deserve pity"?

"Garner pity" implies that pity is being received or collected, while "deserve pity" suggests that someone is worthy of being pitied, regardless of whether they are actually receiving it. One focuses on the action of attracting pity; the other, on justification.