pity for him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pity for him' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you feel sorry for someone due to a difficult or unfortunate situation they are facing. For example: "The homeless man had been living on the streets for years; it was a real pity for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The New Yorker

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Pity for him, I don't think he played his best".

The New York Times - Sports

Her pity for him turned into rage against his father.

The New Yorker

"I don't have pity for him," she said of Castro.

The Guardian

As for the former B.J.P. stalwart Mr. Patel, "I feel pity for him," Mr. Rupani said.

The New York Times

Pity for him that, as natty slogans go, that one's no longer up for grabs.

Independent

Pity for him that he didn't put it out there from the beginning.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

We pity and root for him as we pity and root for the Khuranas: a draw in a situation where everyone is bound to lose.

The New Yorker

It took me many years to stop hating him for that, but then I understood why, and I respect him and pity him for that choice.

Huffington Post

We can feel pity and fear for him and the catharsis these are said to bring -- in gratitude for being spared ourselves".

The New York Times - Books

Pity him for his grim, motiveless anger, but let's at least remember him as he would have wanted us to: as a psychotic, sadistic life-wrecker and overall bad egg.

Vice

Pity him for his grim motiveless anger, but let's at least remember him as he would have wanted us to: as a psychotic, sadistic life-wrecker and overall pretty bad egg.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pity for him" when you want to express a feeling of sorrow or compassion specifically directed toward a male individual due to unfortunate circumstances or hardship. It implies a sense of understanding and sadness for their situation.

Common error

Avoid using "pity for him" in a way that enables negative behavior. Offering genuine support and understanding is different from excusing harmful actions out of pity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pity for him" functions as a prepositional phrase expressing a feeling of sorrow, compassion, or regret directed toward a male individual. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

The New Yorker

20%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pity for him" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey a feeling of sorrow or compassion toward a male individual. Ludwig confirms its correctness, with examples showing its use in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While not overly common, it serves as a neutral way to express empathy, and it's important to consider the context to ensure it's not perceived as condescending. Alternatives like "feel sorry for him" or "have compassion for him" offer similar sentiments with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel sorry for him

Directly expresses sadness or regret for someone's situation.

have compassion for him

Emphasizes a deeper, more empathetic feeling.

sympathize with him

Highlights understanding and sharing of someone's feelings.

my heart goes out to him

Conveys strong emotional support and empathy.

I feel his pain

Indicates a personal understanding of his suffering.

it's a shame for him

Expresses regret specifically related to the person's unfortunate circumstances.

I lament his situation

A more formal way of expressing sorrow.

I grieve for him

Suggests a deep and profound sense of loss or sadness on his behalf.

it's unfortunate for him

Focuses on the bad luck or negative consequences experienced by the person.

I am saddened by his plight

Highlights the distressing nature of his situation.

FAQs

How can I use "pity for him" in a sentence?

You can use "pity for him" to express sorrow or compassion for someone's unfortunate situation. For example: "Seeing his struggle, I felt a deep "pity for him"."

What are some alternatives to "pity for him"?

Alternatives include "feel sorry for him", "have compassion for him", or "sympathize with him", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to express "pity for him"?

While expressing compassion is generally positive, be mindful of the context. Avoid expressing "pity for him" in a way that might be perceived as condescending or patronizing.

What's the difference between "pity for him" and "feeling sorry for him"?

While similar, "pity for him" can sometimes imply a slightly more distant or detached feeling than "feeling sorry for him", which suggests a more immediate emotional connection.