out of compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of compassion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a kind of emotion that motivates someone to act a certain way. For example: "The volunteers gave thousands of hours of their time to the organization, out of compassion for those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is not out of compassion for the fish.

The New York Times - Food

However warped, they believe they are killing out of compassion for the victims of these crimes.

Independent

She said: "Our conference is a thing that's born out of compassion and love.

Independent

You shouldn't prosecute someone in those circumstances who is acting out of compassion".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Lies have even been promulgated (to children or to the dying) out of compassion and tact.

The New York Times - Arts

What is clear is that he tried to help the refugees out of compassion.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They begged them to do it out of compassion, out of religious duty.

The New York Times - Magazine

Renaissance artists did not only portray the Massacre of the Innocents out of compassion.

The Guardian - Arts

"I owed him, contractually and morally, nothing," Saban said, adding that he paid him "out of compassion".

The New Yorker

He claimed his act would save lives in the end: that he was murdering out of compassion.

Independent

Although physicians are sworn to preserve life, many concede privately that they let suffering lives end out of compassion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, consider whether other terms like "empathy" or "pity" might be more appropriate, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "out of compassion" to describe actions that primarily serve personal gain or have ulterior motives. Compassion implies a genuine concern for others, so ensure your writing reflects this sincerity. Be sure that the compassionate act has a direct and positive effect on the recipient, otherwise the phrase loses its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of compassion" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to express the motivation or reason behind an action. It indicates that an action is performed because of empathetic feelings and a desire to alleviate suffering. As Ludwig AI suggests, it’s a clear way to convey a caring motivation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of compassion" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates an action is motivated by empathy and concern for others. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in a wide range of writing styles. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources, followed by academic and scientific writing, demonstrating its broad applicability. To ensure clarity and appropriateness, verify that the context clearly reflects genuine care and concern and has a direct and positive effect on the recipient. Related phrases such as "out of empathy" or "out of concern" can be used to fine-tune the intended nuance. Remember to check that your action is truly motivated by empathy, not ulterior motives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of empathy

Replaces 'compassion' with 'empathy', emphasizing understanding and shared feelings.

out of pity

Substitutes 'compassion' with 'pity', highlighting sorrow for someone's suffering, though it can sometimes carry a condescending connotation.

out of concern

Focuses on worry and solicitude, shifting the emphasis from pure compassion to a broader sense of caring.

from a place of compassion

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the origin of the action stemming from a state of compassion.

moved by compassion

Highlights the emotional impact leading to action, emphasizing the emotional trigger.

out of human kindness

Emphasizes the general goodness and benevolence as the motivating factor.

in an act of compassion

Highlights the action itself as being compassionate, focusing on the deed.

with heartfelt compassion

Adds emphasis to the genuineness and depth of the compassion felt.

out of charity

Replaces 'compassion' with 'charity', highlighting benevolence and generosity, often involving giving to those in need.

out of kindness

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the general attribute of being kind.

FAQs

How can I use "out of compassion" in a sentence?

You can use "out of compassion" to describe the reason someone performs an action. For example, "She volunteered at the homeless shelter "out of compassion" for those less fortunate."

What's a good substitute for "out of compassion"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "out of empathy", "out of pity", or "out of concern". Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the motivation behind the action.

Is it ever incorrect to use "out of compassion"?

It would be incorrect to use "out of compassion" if the action is driven by selfish reasons or malicious intent. The phrase implies a genuine concern for the well-being of others. If the true motivation contradicts this, another phrase would be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "out of compassion" and "out of pity"?

"Out of compassion" generally suggests a deeper understanding and empathy for someone's suffering, leading to a desire to help. "Out of pity", on the other hand, can sometimes imply a feeling of condescension or distance from the person suffering. Compassion is often seen as more respectful and proactive.