out of empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of empathy" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express a feeling of understanding and sympathy for someone else's experience or situation. For example, "She reached out to comfort him out of empathy for his loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Not out of empathy.

The New York Times - Books

Not out of empathy, again".

The New York Times - Books

It was not out of empathy".

The New York Times - Books

It's undoubtedly out of empathy with England.

The Guardian - Sport

Can you run out of empathy and compassion?

University of California, Berkeley

Explore whether you can run out of empathy.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Especially with the girls, who showed more promise, he put out a lot of empathy and energy.

The New Yorker

The inclusive we seeks out a bond of empathy or common understanding between the speaker and the receiver of a message.

The New York Times - Magazine

And it doesn't really jive with that of researchers, either, who tend to parse out different aspects of empathy, especially in relation to moral decision-making.

University of California, Berkeley

The book's second part goes on to describe a visit made by the Pecks, père et fils, in July 2001, to the same part of the world as the farm, a visit that brings out some kind of empathy in the author, a near recognition of the shape of his father's life and his own place in it.

The New York Times - Books

The nurse identified the patients with pain; therefore, we cannot rule out the question of empathy in this relationship, which is completely subjective.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing motivations, use "out of empathy" to highlight that understanding and feeling another's emotions led to a specific action.

Common error

Avoid using "out of sympathy" when "out of empathy" is more appropriate. Empathy involves understanding another's feelings, while sympathy is simply feeling compassion. Use "out of empathy" to describe actions based on shared understanding, not just pity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of empathy" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the motivation or reason behind an action. Ludwig's examples show it clarifies why someone did something, emphasizing their understanding of another's feelings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of empathy" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe actions motivated by understanding and sharing another person's feelings. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples, its frequency is considered uncommon. Key takeaways include distinguishing it from "out of sympathy", which implies pity rather than shared understanding, and utilizing it to clearly articulate the emotional basis for decisions or behaviors. Remember to choose vocabulary that specifically reflects the motivation behind actions to enhance your written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from a place of empathy

Indicates that the action originates from an empathetic perspective or state of mind.

driven by empathy

Emphasizes empathy as the driving force behind an action.

from compassion

Focuses on the feeling of compassion as the driving force, instead of empathy.

inspired by compassion

Highlights compassion as the source of inspiration for an action.

motivated by compassion

Highlights compassion as the motivator, emphasizing the emotional drive.

acting compassionately

Describes the manner of acting, emphasizing the compassionate nature of the action.

with understanding

Focuses on understanding as the reason, highlighting a cognitive aspect.

showing empathy

Focuses on the demonstration of empathy rather than the reason for action.

out of concern

Shifts the focus to worry or care for someone's well-being.

with heartfelt sympathy

Emphasizes the sincerity and depth of feeling in the sympathy shown.

FAQs

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

Use "out of empathy" to explain that an action was motivated by understanding and sharing another person's feelings. For instance, "She offered support "out of empathy" for his difficult situation".

What's a good alternative to saying "out of empathy"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, consider alternatives such as "from compassion", "driven by empathy", or "with understanding".

Is it correct to say "out of sympathy" instead of "out of empathy"?

While both convey caring, empathy implies a deeper understanding of another's feelings. "Out of sympathy" suggests compassion or pity, while "out of empathy" indicates a shared emotional experience.

What does it mean to act "out of empathy"?

To act "out of empathy" means your actions are motivated by a deep understanding and sharing of another person's feelings or experiences, leading you to respond in a supportive or helpful way.