I am sympathetic to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I am sympathetic to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing understanding or compassion towards someone's feelings, situation, or perspective. Example: "I am sympathetic to your struggles and want to help you find a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I am sympathetic to that.

The Guardian

"Personally, I am sympathetic to him.

The New York Times - Arts

I am sympathetic to this position.

The Guardian

"I am sympathetic to these workers," Mr. Walcott said.

The New York Times

"I am sympathetic to people who are suffering," he continued.

The New Yorker

"So, yes, I am sympathetic to that extent.

The Guardian

"But I am sympathetic to making the economy wait.

The New York Times

I am sympathetic to the framers of this resolution.

The New York Times - Arts

"Of course members feel very strongly about them, I am sympathetic to that, I respect that.

Independent

I am sympathetic to some further points Derbyshire makes about snobbery.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am sympathetic to the plight of Rachel and her family.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I am sympathetic to", follow it with a specific reason or explanation to clarify the basis of your sympathy.

Common error

While versatile, "I am sympathetic to" may sound overly emotional in highly formal or technical writing. Consider alternatives like "I understand" or "I acknowledge" for a more neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am sympathetic to" functions as an expression of empathy or understanding towards a person, situation, or idea. It indicates that the speaker acknowledges and perhaps shares the feelings or concerns of another. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I am sympathetic to" is a versatile expression used to convey understanding and compassion. Grammatically correct and very common, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While it implies empathy, it doesn't necessarily indicate complete agreement. For more formal scenarios, alternatives like "I understand" or "I acknowledge" might be more suitable. Remember to follow "I am sympathetic to" with a specific reason to clarify your sentiment. The prevalence and diverse usage of this phrase make it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am understanding of

Conveys a willingness to accept or tolerate someone's situation.

I am supportive of

Suggests providing help and encouragement.

I empathize with

Indicates a deeper level of understanding and feeling the same emotions as another person.

I have compassion for

Highlights feelings of pity and concern for someone suffering.

I feel for

Expresses sorrow or pity for someone's situation.

I understand

Implies comprehension of someone's situation or feelings, but not necessarily agreement.

I am in agreement with

Indicates agreement with a particular idea or viewpoint.

I support

Implies active approval and advocacy for something.

I am favorably disposed toward

A more formal way of expressing a positive inclination.

I appreciate

Expresses recognition and gratitude for something.

FAQs

What does "I am sympathetic to" mean?

It means you understand and feel compassion or concern for someone's situation, feelings, or perspective, indicating a level of emotional resonance and understanding.

How can I use "I am sympathetic to" in a sentence?

You can use it to express your understanding of someone's difficulties or beliefs. For example, "I am sympathetic to the challenges you're facing with the new project."

What can I say instead of "I am sympathetic to"?

You can use alternatives like "I empathize with", "I understand", or "I feel for" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "I am sympathetic for" grammatically correct?

No, the correct preposition to use with "sympathetic" in this context is "to", not "for". The correct phrase is "I am sympathetic to".