I empathize with that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I empathize with that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing understanding or sharing feelings with someone about their situation or experience. Example: "After hearing her story about the challenges she faced, I empathize with that and can understand her struggles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Most of you probably had one of the five valid reasons for choosing Trump. 1) If you thought that globalization has taken away jobs from hard working Americans, I empathize with that.

HuffPost

As a two-time entrepreneur who never got close to a billion dollar buy-out, I empathize with that raging monkey.

TechCrunch

I empathize with that but I completely disagree with that because that's the same kid who didn't want to hang out with me in high school or middle school ― that Asian-American kid who didn't want to hang out with the foreign kid because they think it makes them look bad.

Huffington Post

But there is a parallel with Marilyn in that Randy [the character played by Ryan Reynolds], like Colin Clark, both of them unexpectedly get this golden ticket to go on this journey into this world and I suppose I empathize with that too because I feel I've been so lucky to get into, make these films.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

4) If you were just tired of the corruption and hypocrisy by career politicians exposed on the web, I totally empathize with that.

HuffPost

"I would tell them that I empathize with them, that I have no doubt that they probably had good intentions and that it's clear they didn't think about the consequences of their conduct and instead of making matters worse, they can take ownership of their situation and start to improve things," Paperny said.

The Washington Post

They're like, "I totally empathize with that".

The New York Times - Arts

"If you think your child is going to have a bad life, there is something deeply hurting you — I can empathize with that," she says.

Vice

Attempt to empathize with that.

WikiHow

When I'm just with one kid, it now feels easy, but when I used to have one, that seemed difficult, so I empathize with you on that front too.

HuffPost

So the next day Mr. Giuliani tried to recover, claiming that "what I was trying to say yesterday is that I empathize with them because I feel like I have that same risk".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine this phrase with specific details to show you truly understand the situation. For example, "I empathize with that; the long hours must be exhausting."

Common error

Be mindful of the difference between empathy and sympathy. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another, while sympathy involves feeling pity or sorrow for someone else. Use "I empathize with that" when you genuinely share the person's feelings, not just when you feel sorry for them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I empathize with that" functions as a declarative statement expressing understanding and shared feelings. It acknowledges another person's experience or sentiment and indicates that the speaker can relate to it. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I empathize with that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey understanding and shared feelings. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various sources. It is important to use this phrase when you genuinely share the person's feelings, distinguishing empathy from mere sympathy. While primarily found in news, media, and informal contexts, it can also be applied in professional settings. Be sure to use this phrase to establish a strong connection and validate the speaker's emotional experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I sympathize with that

Similar to empathize, but can imply more of a detached understanding.

I understand that feeling

Uses "understand" instead of "empathize", focusing on comprehension rather than shared emotion.

I can relate to that

Expresses a personal connection or shared experience with the situation.

I know how that feels

Indicates a personal understanding based on a similar experience.

I feel your pain

More direct and emphatic expression of shared suffering.

That resonates with me

Expresses an emotional connection or agreement with the sentiment.

I share your feelings on that

Highlights the shared emotional response to the situation.

I've been there

Briefly indicates a shared experience and understanding.

I get what you mean

Focuses on understanding the meaning or intention behind the statement.

I appreciate that sentiment

Acknowledges and values the expressed feeling or opinion.

FAQs

What's the difference between "I empathize with that" and "I sympathize with that"?

While both express understanding, "I empathize with that" suggests a shared feeling or experience, while "I sympathize with that" implies feeling pity or sorrow. Empathy is about understanding, sympathy is about feeling sorry.

What are some alternatives to saying "I empathize with that"?

You can use alternatives like "I understand that feeling", "I can relate to that", or "I feel your pain" depending on the context and the level of emotion you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I empathize for that" instead of "I empathize with that"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "empathize" in this context is "with". Saying "I empathize for that" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "I empathize with that".

How can I use "I empathize with that" in a sentence?

You can use it to acknowledge someone's feelings and show that you understand their situation, such as, "After hearing about the challenges you faced, I empathize with that and can understand your struggles."