leaps of empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaps of empathy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant or sudden moments of understanding and compassion towards others' feelings or experiences. Example: "In her speech, she emphasized the importance of making leaps of empathy to bridge the gap between different communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I don't know that we ever get to see strangers' lives in more than those tiny leaps of empathy.

The New Yorker

"A book invites people in instead of keeping people out," inviting readers to make "leaps of empathy".

Huffington Post

Hopefully it will encourage audiences to make leaps of empathy toward characters we rarely (if ever) see in mainstream theater or film (e.g., women protagonists, gay dads, lesbians), inspire them to talk more about such stories and to tell truthful stories of their own.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is not enough to retell the story: we must make the most radical leap of empathy into it.

The New York Times

We have to make a leap of empathy and imagination, unaided by gore, individual tales of heroism or tearjerking sentiment.

The Guardian

Mr. Price's identification with Private Manning became the play's starting point, a way, Mr. McGrath said, "to make that leap of empathy of understanding of real people in huge events".

The New York Times

A lack of experience can be overcome by a leap of empathy.

Huffington Post

But like Ms Rowling's books, the play vanquishes resistance … This production captures Ms Rowling's sensibility even more persuasively than did the special-effects-driven films … The word for these imaginative leaps of faith is empathy.

The Guardian

And each one of these leaps expands the circle of empathy -- from tribes, to nation-states, to continents and, if we're lucky, to the entire world.

Huffington Post

Recognizing the reality of another's existence is the imaginative leap that is the birth of empathy, a word invented by a psychologist interested in visual art.

Huffington Post

Playing a castrato requires a leap of imagination, or empathy — the practice of castration was, thankfully, discontinued in the nineteenth century, and the true sound of Farinelli's voice can only be guessed at.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaps of empathy" to vividly describe significant moments where someone deeply understands and connects with another person's feelings, especially across differences or difficulties. It suggests a proactive effort to bridge emotional gaps.

Common error

Avoid using "leaps of empathy" to describe passive sympathy or merely feeling sorry for someone. It implies active effort and imagination to understand another's perspective, not just acknowledging their hardship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaps of empathy" functions as a noun phrase, often used as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes the capacity or act of extending one's understanding and feelings toward others. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leaps of empathy" is a noun phrase describing significant moments of understanding and compassion toward others. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, although it's relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and implies active effort to connect with others' feelings. While grammatically sound, it's important to use it to describe active understanding, not passive sympathy. Alternatives include "empathic understanding" and "moments of compassion". Its register is generally neutral, fitting various contexts that require emotional understanding and connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Jumps of understanding

Uses "jumps" instead of "leaps" to convey a very similar meaning.

Bounds of compassion

Uses "bounds" instead of "leaps" to convey a very similar meaning.

Surges of empathy

Uses "surges" instead of "leaps" to indicate a sudden powerful feeling.

Empathic understanding

Focuses on the understanding aspect of empathy, removing the idea of a sudden "leap".

Outbursts of compassion

Uses "outbursts" instead of "leaps" to indicate a sudden expression of compassion.

Imaginative empathy

Highlights the imaginative component needed for feeling empathy.

Radical empathy

Emphasizes a deeper, more profound form of empathy.

Moments of compassion

Shifts the focus to compassion rather than understanding, and it removes the “leap” metaphor.

Sudden empathy

More direct, without the metaphor of a leap.

Acts of kindness

Focuses on the actions resulting from empathy, not the feeling itself, removing the “leap” metaphor.

FAQs

What does "leaps of empathy" mean?

"Leaps of empathy" describes significant moments of understanding and compassion towards others' feelings or experiences, often across differences.

How can I use "leaps of empathy" in a sentence?

You can use "leaps of empathy" to describe a situation where someone makes a conscious effort to understand another person's perspective, for example: "The book encourages readers to make "leaps of empathy" toward unfamiliar characters".

What can I say instead of "leaps of empathy"?

You can use alternatives like "empathic understanding", "imaginative empathy", or "moments of compassion" depending on the context.

Is "leap of empathy" or "leaps of empathy" more common?

"Leap of empathy" and "leaps of empathy" can both be used, although "leaps of empathy" suggests multiple instances or a general capacity for understanding, while "leap of empathy" indicates a single, specific instance.