He felt helpless as he watched her cry.

Meaning: This means that he couldn't do anything to make her feel better and he felt bad about it.

Choice of Words: Helpless means unable to do anything to help or improve a situation. Watched means to look at someone or something carefully.

Alternative Expressions

The man was unable to assist as he observed the woman weep.

Meaning: This means that the man couldn't help the woman because he was too sad to see her crying.

Choice of Words: Unable means not having the ability or power to do something. Assist means to help or support someone. Observed means to watch or notice something carefully. Weep means to cry or shed tears. When you put them together, "The man was unable to assist as he observed the woman weep" means that the man couldn't help the woman because he watched her crying.

The gentleman lacked the capacity to render aid as he beheld the lady's lachrymose display.

Meaning: This is a very formal way of saying that the man couldn't help the woman because he was too sad to see her crying.

Choice of Words: Gentleman is a polite word for a man. Capacity means the ability to do something. Render means to give or provide something. Aid means help or assistance. Beheld means to look at or observe something. Lachrymose means relating to tears or crying. Display means something that is shown or presented. When you put them together, "The gentleman lacked the capacity to render aid as he beheld the lady's lachrymose display" means that the man couldn't help the woman because he watched her crying.

Related Expressions