out of kindness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of kindness" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means doing something for someone else because of the desire to show kindness, without expecting anything in return. Example: The stranger paid for my meal out of kindness, and it made my day. You can use this phrase to describe someone's actions or motivations, to explain why you did something, or to express gratitude for someone else's kindness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the four page entry on his blog, Fry said he only agreed to speak to the magazine "out of kindness".

Independent

They had not done it out of kindness.

The New York Times

It's about responding out of kindness rather than rage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Remember," he says, "I'm not doing this out of kindness or generosity.

The New York Times - Books

Mitchell then decided, out of kindness, not to reveal Gould's secret.

The New Yorker

"It is those values that will ensure machines don't end up killing us out of kindness".

Independent

"I just do it out of kindness rather than for recognition".

The New York Times

But Mr. London did not provide the tips solely out of kindness.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Actively seek out examples of kindness, empathy and love wherever you go.

HuffPost

He says Ms. Clark bought it "out of the kindness of her heart".

The New York Times

"I am all in favour of the government's push to encourage philanthropy, but people won't give out of the kindness of their hearts," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of kindness" to clearly convey that an action was motivated by a desire to help or benefit someone else, without expecting anything in return. This adds a layer of emotional depth and emphasizes the altruistic nature of the deed.

Common error

Avoid using "out of kindness" when the action was actually motivated by obligation, guilt, or a hidden agenda. Ensure the context genuinely reflects selfless intent to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of kindness" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the motivation or reason behind an action. It specifies that the action was performed due to a desire to be kind or helpful, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of kindness" effectively communicates that an action stems from benevolent intentions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across varied contexts like News & Media and Academia. While alternatives like "from compassion" exist, "out of kindness" succinctly conveys the motivation behind a selfless act. Common errors include misattributing actions to kindness when other factors are at play. Remember to use this phrase when genuine altruism is the driving force.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from the goodness of one's heart

Highlights the inherent virtue and moral integrity of the person performing the action.

motivated by empathy

Emphasizes the emotional understanding and connection with another person's feelings.

driven by goodwill

Stresses the positive and benevolent intention behind the action.

prompted by benevolence

Emphasizes the characteristic of being well-meaning and kindly.

from compassion

Focuses more specifically on the feeling of empathy and concern for others that drives the action.

with a generous spirit

Emphasizes the innate quality of being disposed to giving and helping others.

through altruism

Highlights the selfless nature of the act, with no expectation of personal gain.

out of generosity

Highlights the act of giving or sharing, often involving resources or possessions.

from humanism

Indicates the influence of humanistic values where kindness is seen as essential to improving the overall human condition.

out of charity

Suggests giving or helping those in need, reflecting a sense of social responsibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "out of kindness" to describe the motivation behind someone's action, like: "She helped him with his work "out of kindness"."

What are some alternatives to saying "out of kindness"?

Alternatives include phrases like "from compassion", "out of generosity", or "motivated by empathy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "out of the kindness of their heart"?

While "out of the kindness of their heart" is more emphatic, ""out of kindness"" is generally sufficient and less wordy. Both convey the same meaning.

Can "out of kindness" have negative connotations?

While generally positive, ""out of kindness"" could be misinterpreted if the action is unwanted or leads to unintended consequences. Ensure the action is perceived as genuinely helpful.