plea for compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

"plea for compassion" is correct and is used in written English.
For example, "The refugee made a heartfelt plea for compassion from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It amounts to a plea for compassion.

The Guardian - Books

This is not just a plea for compassion for the suffering Other; the Other could very well be us.

The New York Times

The United Nations issued a plea for compassion for the refugees, mostly Afghans, rescued Monday by the Norwegian ship from a sinking Indonesian ferry, above.

The New York Times

Bruce Springsteen, the E Street Band and a string section opened the show with his muscular new single, a militant plea for compassion as a kind of patriotism: "We Take Care of Our Own".

The New York Times - Arts

In a plea for compassion, Archbishop Fernando Saenz asked the government today to pardon two former soldiers convicted of raping and killing three American nuns and a social worker in 1980.

The New York Times

Gershwin treats his "Night time, day time" melody just as Berg did his tune, bringing it back as a plea for compassion at the end of the first scene and, later, as the lead-in to "Bess, You Is My Woman".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Ever since the news of Darryl Strawberry's suspension from baseball because of drug use, I've been touched by the pleas for compassion among his fans, teammates, Yankee management and New Yorkers everywhere (editorial, March 1).

The New York Times

This war was never intended to claim the white suburbs, and if only the plague had remained contained to a quiet ethnic cleansing we would not see the public outcry and the pleas for compassion and mercy that ring out all over the nation.

Huffington Post

The secretary general opened the conference today with a plea for more compassion for people with AIDS.

The New York Times

-- Alonso Duralde, The Wrap. 4. "With infinite warmth toward its characters, whip-smart humor and a plea for human compassion that feels especially necessary these days, ParaNorman is a movie worth wrapping yourself up in.

Huffington Post

But as our mothers read us the story of Horton, the kindly pachyderm who tries to protect the infinitesimal creatures on a speck of dust, few of us knew that the author intended the tale not only as a lesson about being nice in general but also as a plea for understanding and compassion for the defeated Japanese people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a "plea for compassion", provide specific details about the situation to evoke empathy in the reader or listener. Generic appeals are less effective.

Common error

Avoid overly sentimental or manipulative language when making a "plea for compassion". Focus on presenting facts and rational arguments alongside emotional appeals to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plea for compassion" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence. As seen in Ludwig, it represents a request or appeal for empathetic understanding and kindness towards a particular person or group.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plea for compassion" is a grammatically sound and meaningful expression used to request empathetic understanding and kindness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usage in various contexts. While not overly common, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When employing this phrase, it's essential to provide context and specificity to evoke genuine empathy. Related phrases include "appeal for understanding" and "call for empathy", each with slight nuances. A key writing tip is to avoid excessive emotionality, maintaining a balance between rational and emotional appeals to ensure credibility. The "plea for compassion" effectively serves as an entreaty, urging audiences to exhibit understanding and empathy, as seen in many real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call for empathy

Uses "empathy" instead of "compassion", suggesting a deeper emotional connection.

appeal for understanding

Replaces "compassion" with "understanding", focusing on intellectual empathy.

entreaty for kindness

Substitutes "compassion" with "kindness", focusing on benevolent actions.

urge for consideration

Emphasizes thoughtful attention and understanding of someone's situation.

solicitation of sympathy

Uses "sympathy" instead of "compassion", which can sometimes imply pity rather than understanding.

request for mercy

Emphasizes forgiveness and leniency rather than understanding someone's suffering.

petition for benevolence

Replaces "compassion" with "benevolence", highlighting goodwill and charitable acts.

supplication for clemency

Replaces "plea" with "supplication" and "compassion" with "clemency", making it more formal and legalistic.

cry for help

Shifts the focus from compassion to the need for assistance.

yearning for grace

Emphasizes a spiritual or moral aspect of compassion, focusing on unearned favor.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "plea for compassion" in a sentence?

A "plea for compassion" is most effective when it clearly articulates the suffering or need, and appeals to the audience's sense of humanity. Providing context and specific details can strengthen the appeal.

What's the difference between a "plea for compassion" and a "demand for justice"?

A "plea for compassion" seeks understanding and empathy, often in situations where strict justice may not be the primary goal. A "demand for justice", conversely, insists on fairness and legal rights, regardless of emotional considerations.

Which is more appropriate, a "plea for compassion" or a "call for action"?

It depends on the goal. A "plea for compassion" aims to evoke empathy and understanding. A "call for action" motivates the audience to take concrete steps to address a problem.

What are some alternatives to saying "plea for compassion"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "appeal for understanding", "call for empathy", or "request for mercy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.