sorrow for him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorrow for him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing feelings of sadness or compassion for someone else's situation or misfortune. Example: "After hearing about his loss, I felt a deep sorrow for him and wished I could do something to help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

So I was actually feeling great sorrow for him".

The Guardian

If his body is found now, the tiny remains of a first-grader, the sorrow for him and the sympathy, mixed with gratitude, for his parents, will also be joined by shock.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Although Soma himself was viewed as a stereotypical echo of previous Castlevania protagonists, the new context that the storyline Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow provided for him rectified this.

Wikipedia

That, he told them sternly, would go on and on and on (until, perhaps, they too had faces that looked like maps of sorrow) but for him the fight was up.

Independent

We were shocked, we felt sorrow for them.

The Guardian - Arts

Such was his deep love and heartfelt concern for the world that because of his tears of sorrow for humanity, God gave him that, which He had not given to any other people before; a perfect and complete teaching and way of life.

Huffington Post

On the street where they reared their four boys, he spotted two signs that no longer surprised him, but still filled him with sorrow: FOR SALE.

The New York Times - Magazine

"All of us identified with him for his sorrow, for the heartbreak itself, when he made that pitch".

The New York Times - Sports

All of this is laced with a palpable sorrow at leaving what for him is the ultimate job.

The Guardian

His father used to say to him, "The believer is destined for sorrow; God tests him.

The New Yorker

(His sorrow, she said to reporters after testimony had ended, "was all for themselves — sorrow about losing their house, about their life changing. He never said, 'Oh, my God! What did I do to that boy? Oh, my God. This kid is bleeding on the driveway. What did I do to him?' He had no sympathy, no sorrow for shooting a child").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sorrow for him", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the sorrow, providing specific details about the person's situation or misfortune.

Common error

Avoid using "sorrow for him" when the situation calls for action rather than just feeling sad. Sometimes, offering help or support is more appropriate than simply expressing sorrow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorrow for him" functions primarily as an expression of empathy or sympathy. It conveys a feeling of sadness or compassion towards someone else's suffering or misfortune. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sorrow for him" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey feelings of sadness, pity, or compassion towards someone experiencing hardship. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and serves to express empathy in various contexts. While "sorrow for him" is versatile, alternative phrases like "pity for him" or "compassion for him" might offer nuanced shades of meaning. It is crucial to ensure the context aligns with expressing sincere emotion rather than just feeling sadness, suggesting action might be needed instead. The prevalence of the expression in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times confirms its acceptability and frequent use in reputable media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pity for him

Replaces "sorrow" with "pity", suggesting a slightly different nuance of compassion.

compassion for him

Substitutes "sorrow" with "compassion", emphasizing understanding and empathy.

sadness for him

Replaces "sorrow" with "sadness", offering a more direct expression of feeling.

grief for him

Substitutes "sorrow" with "grief", suggesting a deeper, more intense feeling of loss.

empathy for him

Replaces "sorrow" with "empathy", highlighting the ability to share and understand his feelings.

my heart aches for him

Expresses sorrow through a more emotional and visceral description.

I feel sorry for him

Uses a more common and direct expression of sympathy.

I sympathize with him

Replaces "sorrow" with a verb emphasizing shared feelings.

my condolences to him

A formal expression of sympathy, often used in the context of death or loss.

I am saddened by his plight

Expresses sorrow through a description of his unfortunate situation.

FAQs

What does "sorrow for him" mean?

The phrase "sorrow for him" indicates feeling sadness, pity, or compassion for someone due to their misfortune, suffering, or loss.

What can I say instead of "sorrow for him"?

You can use alternatives like "pity for him", "compassion for him", or "sadness for him" depending on the context.

How do I use "sorrow for him" in a sentence?

Use "sorrow for him" to express your feelings about someone else's suffering. For example: "After hearing about his struggles, I felt a deep sorrow for him."

Is "sorrow for him" formal or informal?

The phrase "sorrow for him" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like "my condolences to him" are more formal.