What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruth
Example
She showed great ruth towards the homeless man, offering him food and shelter. [ruth: noun]
Example
He ruthed the injured bird by nursing it back to health. [ruthed: verb]
pity
Example
I felt pity for the orphaned child, who had no one to care for her. [pity: noun]
Example
Don't pity me, I can take care of myself. [pity: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pity is more commonly used than ruth in everyday language. Pity is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ruth is less common and is mostly used in literature or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ruth and pity?
Ruth is more formal than pity and is mostly used in literature or formal contexts. Pity is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.