Extend my condolences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Extend my condolences" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing sympathy to someone who has experienced a loss. Example: "I would like to extend my condolences to you and your family during this difficult time." Alternative expressions include "Offer my condolences" and "Send my condolences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Please extend my condolences to his family.

The New York Times

"I extend my condolences from the deepest part of my heart," Mr. Toyoda said.

The New York Times

Eric, a self-described rapper from the West Coast, phoned twice: "When you see the family, extend my condolences".

The New Yorker

"I have good memories of the years we worked together in Arkansas and I extend my condolences to his family," the President said.

The New York Times

In a statement, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "I would like to extend my condolences to Ella's friends and family.

The Guardian

On behalf of the Australian Government and the Australian community, I extend my condolences to Mr Mandela's family and to the people of South Africa.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In any case, it's a tragedy and I extended my condolences".

The New York Times

The sheriff said: "At the outset of the inquiry I extended my condolences to Mr Cameron's family.

BBC

I'm looking forward to stoppedwhat the rest of the weekend has introduced

Huffington Post

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the entire Dawoodi Bohra community".

Independent

On behalf of the entire university community, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Ilan's family and friends.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Extend my condolences", follow it with a specific mention of who you are offering condolences to, such as "to the family" or "to the bereaved".

Common error

Avoid using "Extend my condolences" in casual or informal settings. Opt for simpler and more personal expressions like "I'm so sorry for your loss" or "My thoughts are with you."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Extend my condolences" functions as an expression of sympathy. Grammatically, it's a declarative statement where "extend" is the verb and "my condolences" is the object. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Extend my condolences" is a grammatically sound and appropriate way to express sympathy, particularly in formal contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable. It is most frequently found in news reports, business communications and academic settings, with authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian using the expression. While "Extend my condolences" is suitable for professional environments, it is best to opt for a more personal phrasing such as "I'm so sorry for your loss" when in a casual context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Offer my deepest sympathy

Replaces "condolences" with "sympathy" and adds "deepest" to emphasize the sincerity.

Send my heartfelt condolences

Uses "send" instead of "extend" and adds "heartfelt" to convey genuine sympathy.

Convey my condolences

Formally requests that condolences be passed on.

Please accept my condolences

A more direct way of offering sympathy.

You have my deepest sympathy

Similar to offering sympathy but personalizes it.

Pass on my condolences

An alternate way to ask someone to communicate your sympathy.

My sincere condolences

A shorter more direct way of expressing sympathy.

I am so sorry for your loss

Expresses sorrow and acknowledges the loss the person has experienced.

Express my sympathy

Directly states the action of expressing sympathy, suitable for formal situations.

My thoughts are with you

A comforting phrase focusing on emotional support.

FAQs

How to use "Extend my condolences" in a sentence?

You can use "Extend my condolences" to formally express sympathy. For example, "I would like to "extend my condolences" to the family of the deceased."

What can I say instead of "Extend my condolences"?

You can use alternatives like "Offer my deepest sympathy", "Send my heartfelt condolences", or "Please accept my condolences depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Extend my condolences" or "My condolences"?

"Extend my condolences" is a full sentence expressing your action of giving sympathy, while "My condolences" is a shorter phrase expressing sympathy directly. Both are correct, but "Extend my condolences" is more formal.

What's the difference between "Extend my condolences" and "Offer my condolences"?

Both "Extend my condolences" and "Offer my condolences" are very similar in meaning and formality. The choice between them is largely a matter of personal preference.