pity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'pity' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to express feelings of sympathy or regret. For example, "It's such a pity that the event was canceled due to bad weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More's the pity.

The New York Times - Arts

The pity is that the current government hasn't done more in this area.

The Guardian

Later, when she sent me the bill for her lingerie, which she claimed had ripped when she fell from the chair, I began feeling "pity, sympathy, tenderness, or sorrow" for myself, especially when my wife found the Visa bill and was like, "Who the hell is Edna Sapperton?" Why is pathos useful?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What a pity modern political parties do not apply the same criteria.

The Guardian

Similarly, it's hard to feel anything but pity for the Green party today, now that Joanna Lumley and Thom Yorke and Bianca Jagger and Alistair McGowan have thrown their weight behind the re-election of Caroline Lucas.

The Guardian

No, it's hard to feel anything but pity for the Green party because their one MP might lose her job specifically because people rebel against celebrity hubris.

The Guardian

It's a pity I've never really had a chance to win it, but I've always had fun there.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This kind of attitude promotes pity for disabled individuals, and strips them of fundamental human rights – like pride, dignity, and the opportunity to shape their own lives.

The Guardian

Related: Premier League fans' verdicts part 2: Manchester United to West Ham Falcao's decline has been so difficult on the eye that he is now attracting the one thing no footballer ever wants – pity – and there are people at Old Trafford who have started talking about his inadequacies in a way that reminds me of how Alvy Singer, Woody Allen's character, used to excuse Annie Hall's erratic parking.

The Guardian - Sport

Studying the language and literature has given me a platform from which to view the world around me – being able to understand the origins of western culture, language, literature and theatre (and much more) has enriched my everyday life, and I think it would be an enormous pity if other students couldn't also benefit from the privilege of learning Greek.

The Guardian

It would be a pity if the new policy of the governors of Camden School for Girls to end the teaching of Greek at A-level made it even more difficult than it is at the moment for students to have this opportunity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pity" to express sympathy for someone's misfortune, but be mindful of the context to avoid condescension. Aim for genuine empathy.

Common error

Don't mistake "pity" for empathy. While "pity" involves feeling sorrow for someone, empathy means understanding and sharing their feelings. Empathy connects, while "pity" can create distance.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "pity" is to express a feeling of sorrow or compassion for the suffering or misfortune of others. It can act as a noun representing the emotion itself or as a verb indicating the act of feeling such emotion. Ludwig shows examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pity" is a versatile term used to express feelings of sorrow or compassion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, especially in news, lifestyle, and sports reporting. While expressing "pity", it's essential to be mindful of potential condescension and strive for genuine empathy instead. Related terms like "compassion" and "sympathy" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the situation. Understanding these subtleties will help you use "pity" effectively and appropriately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a shame

Expresses regret or disappointment about a situation; similar to "pity" in its interjectional use.

take pity on

Directly implies acting out of "pity" or compassion for someone's plight.

it's unfortunate

Highlights the negative outcome of a situation, aligning with the regrettable nature of "pity".

it's regrettable

Highlights the unfortunate nature of a situation, akin to expressing "pity" for it.

feel compassion for

Focuses on the sympathetic aspect, similar to feeling "pity" for someone's suffering.

a cause for regret

Identifies a situation that elicits sadness or disappointment, aligning with the sense of "pity".

a matter of sorrow

Underscores the sadness or grief associated with a situation, echoing the emotional weight of "pity".

have sympathy for

Emphasizes shared feelings of sorrow, mirroring the emotional response of "pity".

feel for someone

Expresses emotional connection and sorrow, reflecting the sympathetic aspect of "pity".

show mercy toward

Indicates a compassionate action, often stemming from feelings of "pity" or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "pity" in a sentence?

You can use "pity" as a noun to express sympathy, as in, "I felt a surge of pity for the homeless man". You can also use it as a verb, meaning to feel "pity" for, as in, "I pity anyone who has to work on weekends".

What are some synonyms for "pity"?

Alternatives to "pity" include "compassion", "sympathy", "regret", "shame", and "remorse". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to show "pity" or empathy?

Empathy is generally considered more constructive than "pity". Empathy involves understanding and sharing another person's feelings, while "pity" can imply a sense of superiority or distance. Strive for empathy to build genuine connections.

What's the difference between "pity" and sympathy?

"Pity" often suggests a feeling of sorrow or sadness for someone's misfortune, sometimes with a hint of condescension. "Sympathy", on the other hand, is a more general feeling of sorrow or concern for someone else's suffering.