lacking of empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking of empathy" is not correct in English.
The correct form is "lacking empathy." You can use it to describe someone who does not show understanding or compassion towards others' feelings or experiences. Example: "His response to her struggles was cold and lacking empathy, which only made her feel more isolated."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Psychology

Relationships

Sociology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As mentioned above, the psychopathy trait is cynical, impulsive, selfish, cold and lacking of empathy.

Asian Journal of Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Not to mention, self-absorbed, and totally lacking of empathy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Koch's lack of empathy.

The New York Times

Lack of empathy.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not even lack of empathy.

The Guardian - Books

His lack of empathy is her detachment.

The Guardian - Film

Both autism and psychopathy entail a lack of empathy.

The New Yorker

Why your initial "lack of empathy" on the subject?

The Guardian

"And my father replied with total tactlessness, lack of feeling, lack of empathy.

The New Yorker

"It comes from a lack of connectedness, a lack of communication, a lack of empathy, and a lack of understanding".

The New Yorker

According to Iacub, DSK owes his demise to his lack of empathy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "lacking of empathy" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "lacking empathy", "devoid of empathy", or "without empathy" to maintain clarity and credibility.

Common error

The phrase "lacking of" is often redundant. In most cases, you can simply remove "of" without changing the meaning. For example, instead of "lacking of empathy", use the more concise and grammatically correct "lacking empathy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking of empathy" functions as a descriptive phrase, intended to modify a noun (often a person) by indicating a deficiency in their capacity to understand and share the feelings of others. Despite its intended meaning, Ludwig AI identifies this phrasing as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

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Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lacking of empathy" aims to describe a deficiency in someone's ability to understand or share the feelings of others. However, Ludwig AI points out that it's grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "lacking empathy". While the intention is clear, using the incorrect phrase can undermine the credibility of your writing. It's best to opt for alternatives like "lacking empathy", "devoid of empathy", or "without empathy", particularly in formal or professional contexts. Remember to choose the phrasing that best conveys the specific nuance you intend, whether it's a complete absence of empathy or simply a deficiency in that area.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devoid of empathy

Emphasizes a complete absence of empathy.

bereft of empathy

Similar to "devoid", highlighting a significant loss or absence of empathy.

without empathy

A more straightforward way to state the absence of empathy.

lacking empathy

Grammatically correct and more concise.

absence of empathy

Focuses on the state of empathy being absent.

wanting in empathy

A more formal way to express the lack of empathy.

deficient in empathy

Highlights a deficiency or inadequacy in empathic ability.

insensitive

Describes behavior that demonstrates a lack of empathy.

unfeeling

Focuses on the lack of emotional response or understanding.

callous

Implies a hardened or indifferent attitude towards others' feelings.

FAQs

Is "lacking of empathy" grammatically correct?

No, the correct form is "lacking empathy". The inclusion of "of" is grammatically incorrect and considered redundant in this context. It's better to say someone is "lacking empathy", "devoid of empathy", or "without empathy".

What does it mean to be "lacking of empathy"?

While grammatically incorrect, "lacking of empathy" generally means a person is unable to understand or share the feelings of another person. They struggle to put themselves in others' shoes and may come across as insensitive or uncaring. The correct phrase to use would be "lacking empathy".

Which is more appropriate, "lacking in empathy" or "lacking empathy"?

Both "lacking in empathy" and "lacking empathy" are grammatically sound, but the latter is often preferred for its conciseness. Another alternative includes the phrase "absence of empathy".

What are some signs that someone is "lacking empathy"?

Signs can include difficulty understanding others' emotions, struggling to respond appropriately in emotional situations, a tendency to dismiss other people's feelings, and a general lack of concern for the well-being of others. Bear in mind this does not make them "devoid of empathy", just struggling with it.