pity her

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pity her" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common phrase used to express feeling sorry or compassion for someone. Here are some examples of when you can use it in a sentence: - "I can't help but pity her for all the challenges she has faced in her life." - "It's hard not to pity her when she's always putting on a brave face despite her struggles." - "I could see the sadness in her eyes and couldn't help but feel pity for her." - "He stood there, alone and defeated, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for him." Note: It is important to use this phrase with sensitivity and empathy, as it can also be seen as condescending or belittling if used inappropriately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

But she does not pity her friend: I thought of this destitution of hers as some spiritual or aesthetic exercise.

The New Yorker

"I pity her," Lane said.

The New Yorker

And my friend says: 'I pity her.

The New York Times - Magazine

Leela urges the author not to pity her.

The New York Times - Books

Annie comes to pity her ill-used body.

The New Yorker

Does she envy or pity her best friend's new life?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Riggnarok, who had followed Succoria through time to assassinate her, took pity on her in her despair, and the two fell in love and bore Eddie.

Wikipedia

Devoid of sentimentality and self-pity, her words are striking.

The Guardian - Sport

The writer (known only as "the mother of Michitsuna") describes, with many touches of self-pity, her unhappy life with her husband.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I pitied her.

The New Yorker

And so, instead, Nwamgba pitied her.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pity her" when you want to express a feeling of sorrow or compassion for someone's unfortunate circumstances. Ensure the context makes it clear that you're acknowledging their suffering without being condescending.

Common error

Be mindful of the tone when using "pity her". Ensure you're expressing genuine empathy, not superiority or judgment, as the latter can be offensive. Instead of saying "I pity her for failing", try "I feel for her because she faced setbacks in her endeavor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pity her" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "pity" is the verb expressing the emotion and "her" is the object of that emotion. This construction is used to indicate that someone feels compassion or sorrow for a specific female individual. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pity her" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express feelings of sorrow or compassion for a female individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its usage is most common in news and media contexts, and while generally neutral in register, it's essential to use it with sensitivity to avoid any condescending implications. Related phrases include "feel sorry for her" and "have compassion for her", offering alternative ways to convey similar sentiments. When writing, be mindful of your tone and ensure you're expressing genuine empathy. With its widespread usage and clear meaning, "pity her" remains a valuable expression in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel sorry for her

Focuses on the emotion of feeling sorry, rather than the action of pitying.

have compassion for her

Emphasizes a deeper sense of understanding and care.

feel sympathy for her

Highlights shared feelings and understanding of her suffering.

take pity on her

Implies a more active decision to show mercy or kindness.

be moved by her plight

Highlights the emotional impact of her difficult situation.

lament her misfortune

Focuses on expressing sorrow or grief over her bad luck.

rue her fate

Expresses regret or sorrow about her destiny or circumstances.

be saddened by her situation

Directly states the feeling of sadness due to her circumstances.

deplore her condition

Emphasizes a strong feeling of disapproval and sadness regarding her state.

grieve for her suffering

Focuses on the act of mourning or feeling deep sorrow for her pain.

FAQs

How can I use "pity her" in a sentence?

You can use "pity her" to express sorrow or compassion for someone's unfortunate situation. For example, "I "pity her" for having to go through such a difficult experience".

What's a less direct way to express that I feel sorry for someone?

Instead of saying "pity her", you might say "feel sorry for her", "have compassion for her", or "feel sympathy for her".

Is "pity her" formal or informal?

"Pity her" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's important to consider the tone and intent behind its use.

Can "pity her" be interpreted negatively?

Yes, if used without sensitivity, "pity her" can sound condescending or patronizing. It's crucial to ensure your tone conveys empathy and understanding, not superiority or judgment.