with an empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with an empathy" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "with empathy" without the article "an." Example: "She approached the situation with empathy, understanding the feelings of those involved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Sacha Gervasi, the director and a screenwriter who had been a roadie for Anvil 20 years earlier, portrayed the band with an empathy that has since led to its renaissance.

The New York Times

Set in the wake of environmental disaster, the noirlike plot centers on Deckard (Alex Emanuel), who tracks down androids, tests their humanity with an empathy test and, if they fail, destroys them.

The New York Times

Lawler's photographs combine a lacerating eye for the absurd conditions in which works of art find themselves — from collectors' homes to storage facilities — with an empathy for the frailty of the human condition.

The New Yorker

KS Buy this book at the Guardian bookshop Despite being written with an empathy that lends it some warmth, Moore's exploration of loneliness comes with the authentic chill of nights spent alone in shabby bedsits.

The Guardian - Books

Intensely moral, unlike her father, and endowed with an empathy for humans that is lacking in fellow divinities such as her stepmother Fricka, Brünnhilde is the most likable female in the Ring.

The Guardian - Music

"Louise Lawler: Why Pictures Now" and "Louise Bourgeois: An Unfolding Portrait," at MOMA Lawler's photographs combine a lacerating eye for the absurd conditions in which works of art find themselves — from collectors' homes to storage facilities — with an empathy for the frailty of the human condition.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

They were also evaluated with an empathy-for-pain task tapping the perception of intentional and accidental harm.

Neuropsychologia

In a related study, males and females who were primed with an empathy-inducing video had a spike in plasma OT, and their generosity in the UG scaled positively with their subjective empathy ratings.

Plosone

In sum, it was an amazingly empowering experience to connect with Edwin in an empathy circle with Mark, Ed, and Chance.

Huffington Post

His own Jewish identity, he says, was seminal to his fascination with the Caucasus, yielding an empathy with the persecuted and a concern with the deceptions of history.

The New York Times - Books

We have got to be able to be honest with our kids, have an empathy with them.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Omit the article "an" before "empathy". Use the phrase "with empathy" for grammatically correct and clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using the indefinite article "an" before the noun "empathy". Empathy is typically treated as an uncountable noun in this context. Therefore, "with empathy" is the standard and preferred form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with an empathy" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating the manner or way in which something is done or felt. Although Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incorrect, examples show its use in published texts, suggesting a possible, though disputed, evolution of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

13%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with an empathy" is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect, with "with empathy" being the preferred form. Despite this, "with an empathy" appears with some frequency in various sources, notably in News & Media, suggesting a potential but contested usage. The authoritative sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and others occasionally use it, even though it is advisable to use "with empathy" for grammatically correct and clearer communication. Consider alternatives like "showing empathy", "demonstrating compassion", or "acting with understanding".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with empathy

Removes the unnecessary article "an", resulting in grammatically correct phrasing.

showing empathy

Shifts from a prepositional phrase to a participial phrase, emphasizing the action of displaying empathy.

demonstrating compassion

Replaces "empathy" with "compassion", offering a synonymous term with a slightly different emotional connotation.

acting with understanding

Substitutes "empathy" with "understanding", focusing on the cognitive aspect of appreciating another's situation.

displaying sensitivity

Uses "sensitivity" in place of "empathy", highlighting a general awareness of others' feelings.

possessing a sympathetic nature

Expresses empathy as an inherent quality, changing the grammatical construction significantly.

having an understanding heart

Uses a more figurative and descriptive phrase to convey the idea of empathy.

being attuned to others' feelings

Focuses on the aspect of being receptive to the emotions of others, rather than the act of empathizing.

responding with concern

Shifts the focus to the reaction and the emotional aspect of being concerned.

exercising emotional intelligence

Replaces "empathy" with a more formal term, "emotional intelligence", which encompasses a broader range of skills.

FAQs

Why is it better to say "with empathy" instead of "with an empathy"?

The word "empathy" is generally used as an uncountable noun in this context, similar to "love" or "understanding". Therefore, it's grammatically more appropriate to say "with empathy" rather than "with an empathy".

What are some synonyms for showing something "with an empathy"?

While "with an empathy" is not grammatically correct, you can use phrases like "with compassion", "with understanding", or "with sensitivity" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "with an empathy" ever correct in English?

While uncommon and generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English, some instances might attempt to personify "empathy" as a distinct entity. However, it's best to avoid this usage to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy. Prefer "with empathy".

How can I improve my writing to better express empathy?

Focus on using strong verbs and vivid language to describe emotional experiences. Instead of saying "with an empathy", show the empathy through your words. For example, "She listened with empathy, acknowledging their pain" becomes "She listened intently, her expression mirroring their pain".