pity him

USAGE SUMMARY

"pity him" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used when expressing sympathy or compassion towards someone. Example: "I couldn't help but feel pity for him as he struggled to carry all of his heavy bags."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I wish I could pity him", whilst L.G. Offord considered Thunderball to be "just about as wild as ever, with a walloping climax".

Wikipedia

"I pity him!

The New Yorker

If anything I pity him.

Independent

Don't pity him.

The New York Times - Sports

I'd had the nerve to pity him.

The New Yorker

But people pity him, too.

The New York Times - Books

Almost with embarrassment, you pity him somewhat.

The New Yorker

His siblings shun or pity him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Love the great man, hate him or pity him?

The New York Times

All the injustice, the discrimination, I pity him".

The New York Times

Was it because you couldn't but pity him?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pity him" when you genuinely feel sympathy for someone, especially when they are facing hardship or misfortune. Avoid using it sarcastically or condescendingly.

Common error

Be mindful of your tone when using "pity him". It’s easy to come across as condescending if your delivery is not genuine. Ensure your expression of pity is rooted in empathy, not superiority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pity him" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object, where "pity" is the verb expressing the emotion, and "him" is the pronoun referring to the person receiving the pity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pity him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey feelings of sympathy or compassion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, its usage spans from neutral to informal registers depending on the context. While straightforward, it's important to wield this phrase with genuine empathy to avoid any hint of condescension. Alternatives such as "feel sorry for him" or "have compassion for him" can offer subtle variations in conveying the sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel sorry for him

Replaces "pity" with "feel sorry", offering a more common and straightforward expression of sympathy.

take pity on him

Emphasizes the act of showing compassion, rather than just feeling it.

have compassion for him

Highlights the feeling of deep sympathy and understanding.

my heart goes out to him

Expresses a strong sense of empathy and sorrow for his situation.

I feel for him

A more concise and informal way to express sympathy.

I sympathize with him

Indicates an understanding of his suffering and a shared feeling.

I commiserate with him

Suggests a shared experience of hardship, leading to sympathy.

be merciful to him

Focuses on the act of showing leniency and kindness.

show him mercy

Similar to 'be merciful', but emphasizes the action of offering kindness.

I regret his situation

Shifts the focus to expressing regret about his circumstances.

FAQs

How do I use "pity him" in a sentence?

You can use "pity him" to express sympathy or compassion for someone. For example: "I "pity him"; he's lost everything."

What are some alternatives to "pity him"?

Alternatives include "feel sorry for him", "have compassion for him", or "my heart goes out to him" depending on the context.

Is it ever inappropriate to say "pity him"?

Yes, it can be inappropriate if used sarcastically or condescendingly. Ensure your expression of pity is genuine and empathetic, not superior.

What is the difference between "pity him" and "envy him"?

"Pity him" expresses sympathy for someone's misfortune, while "envy him" expresses a desire for something someone else possesses. They are opposite emotions.