moved to pity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moved to pity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express feeling sorry for someone or something. For example: When I saw the homeless man begging for food, I was moved to pity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

We're moved to pity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He is moved to pity unconscionably often.

The New Yorker

Her heart has been hardening for some time, & when moved to pity by something she can no longer show her feelings.

The New Yorker

Think of the earnest liberal who encounters a panhandler, is moved to pity by the man's obvious destitution, but refrains from offering a quarter – since the hobo might, after all, spend the money on booze.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps the most politically radical thing theatre is doing, this spring of 2015, is not airing the issues of the day, but insisting its audience sit in a place, with our fellow humans, watching other humans doing and speaking, being moved to pity and fear.

The Guardian

The sense of outrage is palpable, and even after two days I find myself moved to pity; to pick up my shuddering, weeping copy of Hergé's The Secret of the Unicorn, cradle it in my arms, and whisper soothingly to it that everything will be all right; but all the time knowing that, after this, it won't be; nothing will be the same again.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Moved to make a pity purchase I couldn't find one thing I'd wear, so bought four mugs instead.

The Times

2 What particularly moved to tears of pity those who saw it was the family of Dareius, his mother, wife, two daughters of marriageable age, and a son who was a mere boy.67 3 In their case, the change in fortune and the magnitude of their loss of position, incredible as it were, was a spectacle that might well inspire compassion in those who beheld it.

University of Chicago

He glanced at Sonia, who was looking at him with such pity that he found himself moved to tears.

The Guardian - Books

I was about to turn 40, had recently moved to the countryside, was drinking heavily, and was fatally distracted by social media, the internet and self-pity.

Independent

You cannot imagine him being taken aback by the sins of the world, even when they move him to pity or scorn.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moved to pity" to describe a feeling of sorrow and compassion that motivates action or a change in perspective. This phrase is particularly effective when illustrating a character's emotional response in literature or describing a humanitarian response to suffering.

Common error

Avoid using "moved to pity" in contexts where it might imply a sense of superiority or condescension. Ensure the situation genuinely evokes sympathy, not disdain. The goal is compassion, not to belittle the subject's situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moved to pity" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of emotional response. It describes the act of being influenced by feelings of sorrow and compassion, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples. It is often used to show a shift in emotion or a motivation for action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moved to pity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe experiencing feelings of sorrow and compassion. While not as frequent as simpler expressions, it is common enough to be recognized and understood in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general discourse. Ludwig AI indicates that this is correct and usable. It's particularly effective when emphasizing a character's change of heart or a motivation for humanitarian acts. When using the phrase, be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation as condescension, ensuring the context genuinely warrants sympathy and not disdain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took pity on

Emphasizes the act of showing pity or mercy.

felt compassion for

Focuses on the emotion of compassion rather than the action of being moved.

showed compassion towards

Focuses on actively demonstrating compassion.

was filled with sympathy for

Highlights the feeling of sympathy and its intensity.

felt a pang of sympathy

Highlights a sudden and sharp feeling of sympathy.

felt sorry for

A more casual and straightforward expression of pity.

was touched by

Indicates a feeling of emotional impact, often including pity.

was saddened by

Indicates a feeling of sadness and sorrow, often prompted by pity.

experienced empathy for

Highlights understanding and sharing the feelings of another, rather than just pity.

had mercy on

Emphasizes the act of showing leniency or forgiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "moved to pity" in a sentence?

You can use "moved to pity" to describe someone experiencing compassion. For example, "She was moved to pity when she saw the stray dog shivering in the rain."

What's a more formal alternative to "moved to pity"?

A more formal alternative could be "felt compassion for". For example, "The council "felt compassion for" the displaced families".

Is it correct to say 'moved by pity' instead of "moved to pity"?

Yes, "moved by pity" is also correct and commonly used. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, with slight nuance variations.

When is it inappropriate to say someone was "moved to pity"?

It might be inappropriate if the situation doesn't warrant genuine sympathy or if using the phrase implies a condescending attitude. Context is key to ensure it conveys compassion rather than disdain.