solicit empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solicit empathy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to understand or share in the feelings of another person, often in a context where emotional support is needed. Example: "In her speech, she aimed to solicit empathy from the audience regarding the struggles faced by the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Ms. Cheung's astringent turn solicits empathy and exasperation).

The New York Times

With his shaggy, hangdog look and mild, unflappable demeanor, Mr. Gertten easily solicits empathy for his plight.

The New York Times

And yet, while never for a moment soliciting our empathy, Mr. Hoffman makes us care about this man, the scale of whose ethical failures gives him a kind of negative grandeur.

The New York Times

When physicians display empathy toward their patients, ask questions about social and emotional content, solicit patient feedback, and employ active listening, their patients tend to be more willing to share their concerns (Hall et al 1988; Roter et al 1997).

Clinical interventions in aging

Some judges solicit bribes.

The Economist

If not, solicit his opinion.

The New York Times

Why did she solicit us?

Independent

Sylvia Browne doesn't solicit.

The Guardian

We solicit scripts".

The Guardian

to solicit votes?

The New York Times

Other athletes solicit wealthy patrons.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "solicit empathy" in formal or professional writing when you are directly requesting the audience to understand and share the feelings of others, often in persuasive or advocacy contexts.

Common error

Avoid overusing emotive language when you "solicit empathy". Excessive emotional appeals can undermine your credibility and make your request seem manipulative. Maintain a balanced tone that respects your audience's intelligence and emotional boundaries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solicit empathy" functions as a verb phrase, where "solicit" is the transitive verb and "empathy" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. It's used to describe the action of actively seeking or requesting understanding and shared feelings from others.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solicit empathy" is a grammatically correct but relatively uncommon phrase used to describe the act of requesting or seeking understanding and shared feelings from others. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. It is mostly encountered in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While grammatically sound and understandable, alternatives like "seek understanding" or "request compassion" may be more frequently used and easily understood. When using "solicit empathy", ensure that the context clearly indicates the need for empathy and maintain a balanced tone to avoid appearing manipulative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek understanding

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of comprehension rather than the emotional aspect of feeling.

request compassion

Emphasizes the plea for sympathetic concern for someone's suffering.

elicit sympathy

Highlights the act of drawing forth feelings of pity or sorrow.

invoke empathy

Stresses the action of calling upon or appealing to someone's capacity for understanding and sharing feelings.

invite compassion

Suggests a gentle encouragement for others to respond with kindness.

generate understanding

Focuses on producing or creating a sense of comprehension.

provoke sympathy

Implies a stronger reaction of pity as a result of a situation.

encourage empathy

Highlights the act of promoting or fostering empathetic feelings.

foster compassion

Emphasizes nurturing and developing feelings of sympathy and concern.

draw out empathy

Suggests an effort to extract or bring forth existing feelings of empathy.

FAQs

How can I effectively "solicit empathy" in a speech?

To effectively "solicit empathy" in a speech, share personal anecdotes or relatable stories that highlight the experiences and emotions of those you want your audience to understand. Use vivid language and imagery to create a connection, but avoid excessive emotional manipulation.

What's a more common way to ask for understanding than "solicit empathy"?

While "solicit empathy" is grammatically correct, alternatives like "seek understanding" or "request compassion" may be more commonly used and readily understood in certain contexts.

Is it better to "elicit sympathy" or "solicit empathy"?

The choice between "elicit sympathy" and "solicit empathy" depends on the desired outcome. "Elicit sympathy" aims to draw forth feelings of pity or sorrow, while "solicit empathy" seeks a deeper understanding and shared emotional experience. Choose "solicit empathy" when you want your audience to connect with and understand the feelings of others, not just feel sorry for them.

Can "solicit empathy" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "solicit empathy" can be used in formal writing, particularly in persuasive or advocacy contexts where you need to encourage your audience to understand and share the feelings of others. However, consider your audience and the specific context to determine if a more direct or commonly used phrase like "seek understanding" would be more appropriate.