showing empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "showing empathy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of understanding and sharing someone else's feelings or experiences. Example: In her letter to the grieving family, the author did an excellent job of showing empathy for their loss.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why aren't more politicians —  and people in general — expressing outrage and showing empathy?

The New York Times

One possibility is that contagious yawning serves as a way of showing empathy.

The New Yorker

Nearly all medical schools teach the importance of listening to patients and showing empathy.

The New York Times

Waiters who are better at showing empathy earn nearly 20% more in tips.

The Guardian

And it's not just about not being a bully, it's about showing empathy and compassion.

The Washington Post

Or, if your child talks about a conversation with a friend, highlight ways in which they were showing empathy.

University of California, Berkeley

Some are just catchy labels for common sense rules: "I feel your pain," for showing empathy, and "Yikes!

The New York Times

These include showing empathy with working people, patiently nursing deals through Congress, and beating back competing and usually strident interests.

The Economist

Things like building relationships, inspiring a team, developing others, and showing empathy can fall by the wayside.

Harvard Business Review

"If you're trying to tap into public frustration and showing empathy on the deficit, you go after waste," said Robert Bixby, executive director of the nonprofit Concord Coalition.

The Washington Post

SEL centers on the key attitudes and skills necessary for understanding and managing emotions, listening, feeling and showing empathy for others, and making thoughtful, responsible decisions.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions, use "showing empathy" to highlight understanding and connection with another person's feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "showing sympathy" when you mean "showing empathy". Sympathy implies feeling for someone, while empathy means feeling with them. "Showing empathy" highlights a shared emotional experience, fostering a stronger connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "showing empathy" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act of demonstrating understanding and compassion towards others. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "showing empathy" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression describing the act of understanding and sharing the feelings of others. According to Ludwig, its versatility allows it to function effectively across a broad range of contexts, from news and media to academia and science. The phrase is most frequently used in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When writing, it's important to remember that while "showing sympathy" is related, it differs from "showing empathy". Empathy involves feeling with someone, while sympathy involves feeling for someone. Therefore, using "showing empathy" will highlight a deeper connection. Overall, the phrase is a powerful tool for conveying understanding and fostering positive relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrating compassion

Focuses more on the outward expression of kindness and concern.

expressing understanding

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of grasping another's situation.

offering support

Highlights the act of providing assistance and comfort.

displaying sensitivity

Underscores the awareness and consideration of another's feelings.

relating to others

Focuses on establishing a connection and shared experience.

acknowledging feelings

Highlights the recognition and acceptance of someone's emotional state.

being understanding

Implies a general attitude of acceptance and tolerance.

sharing sentiments

Emphasizes the act of feeling the same emotions as another person.

having compassion

Refers to an inner feeling of concern and sympathy.

expressing concern

Focuses on communicating worry and care for someone's well-being.

FAQs

How to use "showing empathy" in a sentence?

You can use "showing empathy" to describe someone's actions or qualities, such as "The therapist was excellent at "showing empathy" towards her patients" or "Showing empathy is crucial for building strong relationships".

What can I say instead of "showing empathy"?

You can use alternatives like "demonstrating compassion", "expressing understanding", or "offering support" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "showing empathy" the same as "having empathy"?

"Having empathy" refers to possessing the capacity to understand and share another's feelings, while ""showing empathy"" refers to the outward expression of that understanding. You can have empathy without "showing empathy", but "showing empathy" usually implies that you have that underlying capacity.

What's the difference between "showing empathy" and "showing sympathy"?

"Showing empathy" involves understanding and sharing another person's feelings, while "showing sympathy" involves feeling pity or sorrow for another person's misfortune. Empathy seeks to understand the emotion, while sympathy can be more detached.