he pities himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he pities himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who feels sorry for their own situation or circumstances. Example: "After losing his job, he pities himself and struggles to find motivation to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Certainly he pities himself.

The Economist

When he pities himself for being unable to forget the girl who has denounced him, we get a regretful fragment of late Yeats.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Save for the fact that he pitied himself far more than you could hope to match, Carl Kruger almost presented a sympathetic portrait of a man consumed with remorse.

The New York Times

Remember that family who lived in a boatrun aground and capsizedby the creamy dunes where the plovers nest Sea, sun, storm, and firmamentkept their minds occupied.David Copperfield came and went,and their sympathy for him was suchthat they pitied him almost as muchas he pitied himself.

The New Yorker

by Sharon Levy Remember that family who lived in a boatrun aground and capsizedby the creamy dunes where the plovers nest Sea, sun, storm, and firmamentkept their minds occupied.David Copperfield came and went,and their sympathy for him was suchthat they pitied him almost as muchas he pitied himself.

The New Yorker

But he never pitied himself, or expected anyone else to.

The New Yorker

Mr. Dershowitz added that the former governor was "working every day, he's not goofing off, he's not pitying himself".

The New York Times

Instead of pitying himself, he jokes about his mutilation.

The New York Times - Books

He asked to be pitied, adored, and despised; above all, he pitied, adored, and despised himself.

The New Yorker

Because he pitied the fool.

The New York Times

He pitied me, and something about the sincerity of his pity only made it worse.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he pities himself" to depict a character's internal state, often revealing weakness or a lack of agency. This construction is useful in narratives where self-awareness is limited.

Common error

Avoid making self-pity the sole defining characteristic of a character. While it can be a compelling aspect, ensure it is balanced with other traits to create a more nuanced and relatable individual. Over-reliance on self-pity can make a character seem one-dimensional and unsympathetic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he pities himself" functions as a description of a subject's emotional state. It indicates that the subject is experiencing self-pity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples show its use in literature and news media.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he pities himself" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict a subject's self-pity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not overly frequent, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, literature, and academic writing. When using this phrase, consider its potential impact on the audience. While portraying self-pity can add depth to a character, overuse can lead to a negative perception. Alternatives like "he feels sorry for himself" or "he is consumed by self-pity" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he feels sorry for himself

Expresses a more general sense of sadness and regret for one's situation.

he is consumed by self-pity

Highlights the overwhelming nature of the feeling.

he indulges in self-pity

Suggests a more active and perhaps excessive engagement with feelings of sadness.

he dwells on his misfortunes

Focuses on the act of repeatedly thinking about negative experiences.

he wallows in his own misery

Conveys a stronger sense of being trapped and consumed by negative emotions.

he is mired in self-pity

Emphasizes the difficulty of escaping the negative feeling.

he laments his fate

Implies a more formal and profound expression of sorrow and regret.

he bemoans his situation

Suggests a more vocal and persistent expression of unhappiness.

he bewails his lot

Similar to 'laments his fate' but slightly less formal.

he succumbs to despair

Indicates a complete loss of hope and resignation to unhappiness.

FAQs

How can I use "he pities himself" in a sentence?

You can use "he pities himself" to describe a character who feels sorry for their own situation. For example, "After the accident, he pities himself and avoids social situations."

What is a more formal alternative to "he pities himself"?

A more formal alternative could be "he is consumed by self-pity" or "he succumbs to despair", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Another option is "he laments his fate".

What's the difference between "he pities himself" and "he feels sorry for himself"?

"He feels sorry for himself" is a more general and common expression of sadness or regret. "He pities himself" implies a deeper, perhaps more prolonged, state of self-compassion that can be more detrimental, even to the point of hindering progress.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "he pities himself"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the depth and potentially negative impact of someone's self-pity. It suggests a more profound sense of being trapped or consumed by negative emotions. Consider "he wallows in his own misery" as another option.