not of compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not of compassion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of compassion in a particular context or situation. Example: "His actions were driven by ambition, not of compassion for those affected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Both Gates's and Chen's work may inspire social change, but it's the power of creativity, not of compassion, that spurs them from one genre-defying innovation to the next.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is not out of compassion for the fish.

The New York Times - Food

The conservative commentator Glenn Beck insisted the issue is not one of "compassion, compassion, compassion," but of paying the $75.

The New York Times

In other words, old news is now being regurgitated with a vindictive spin by--among others--a front group for Philip Morris, Outback Steakhouse, KFC, cattle ranchers, and other animal exploiters that kill millions of animals every year--and which do so not out of compassion but out of greed.

Huffington Post

"My own sense is that's not out of a lack of willingness to receive refugees in local communities, it's not for lack of compassion and care and a sense of urgency in local communities, in churches, in school, in workplaces -- it's really due to a lack of political will," Hartke said.

Huffington Post

This is not a Jesus of compassion, nor one concerned with healing this world's suffering.

The New York Times

Pathological in his need for adoration, but not entirely devoid of compassion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then there are the cynics, the Basil Seals, amoral chancers with not a shred of compassion; the money-borrowers, the game-players.

The Guardian - Books

The song's "every man for himself" ethos is not a rejection of compassion but the hardest realism possible, a blunt assessment of everyone's chances in the aftermath of an era striking an iceberg.

The New York Times

It appears this scheme is to act as a screening device to exclude those who do not demonstrate attributes of compassion from places on courses that lead to registration as a nurse.

The Guardian

Calling the Syrian conflict "the most dangerous crisis since the end of the cold war," António Guterres, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, urged world leaders to respond to the appeal not just out of compassion but also as a form of "enlightened self-interest" to help stabilize the region and avert "an explosion in the Middle East".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not of compassion" to clearly contrast a motivation or action with compassion, emphasizing that it stems from a different source. For example, "The decision was made for strategic reasons, "not of compassion".

Common error

Avoid using "not of compassion" when simply expressing sympathy. It's best used to highlight a specific alternative reason or motivation, rather than as a general statement of empathy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not of compassion" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating the absence of compassion as a motivating factor or origin. Ludwig AI highlights its use in contrasting intentions, as shown in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not of compassion" is a prepositional phrase used to specify the absence of compassionate motivation, often in contrast to other driving forces. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. The phrase carries a neutral register, making it versatile for various writing styles. When using "not of compassion", ensure you are clearly indicating an alternative motivation, and avoid using it simply as a general statement of sympathy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without compassion

Directly indicates the absence of compassion.

lacking compassion

Emphasizes the deficiency of compassion.

devoid of compassion

Highlights a complete absence of compassion.

motivated by other factors than compassion

Specifies that other influences were at play, rather than compassion.

not driven by compassion

Indicates compassion wasn't the impetus behind an action.

an absence of compassion

Focuses on the state of lacking compassion.

without a compassionate motive

Highlights the lack of compassionate intention.

unmoved by compassion

Suggests a resistance to compassionate feelings.

showing no compassion

Highlights the behavioral manifestation of a lack of compassion.

not out of pity

Indicates the absence of pity as a motivator, focusing on an alternative feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "not of compassion" in a sentence?

Use "not of compassion" to contrast an action or feeling with compassionate motivations. For example, "The decision was made for strategic reasons, "not of compassion"." It clarifies that compassion was absent as a motivator.

What are some alternatives to saying "not of compassion"?

You can use alternatives like "without compassion", "lacking compassion", or "devoid of compassion" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not out of compassion" instead of "not of compassion"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "not out of compassion" emphasizes the absence of compassion as a driving force, while "not of compassion" indicates that compassion wasn't the origin or source of something. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

What is the difference between "not of compassion" and simply "lacking compassion"?

"Lacking compassion" describes a state of being, indicating someone or something is without compassion. "Not of compassion" is typically used to specify that something originated from a different cause or motivation other than compassion, and it's used to create a contrast.