I empathized with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I empathized with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing understanding or sharing feelings with someone else's experiences or emotions. Example: "After hearing her story about loss, I empathized with her pain and offered my support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

I empathized with her.

The New York Times - Health

He had come from humble beginnings, which I empathized with".

The New Yorker

Will you help me?" I said I empathized with his request.

The New York Times - Health

"I think I empathized with her after reading it, because I'd just heard the stories," one girl explained.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said: I never met Aaron Swartz, but as I read about him I empathized with the pressures that seemed to push him to conclude enough is enough.

The Guardian - Tech

"I empathized with her need to win and how as a child she goes to this fantasy world to escape her family," she says.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"I empathize with them.

The New York Times

I empathize with him.

The New York Times - Sports

I empathize with the torturer.

The New Yorker

I empathize with grieving humanity.

The New York Times - Travel

I empathize with his feelings of jealousy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I empathized with" to build rapport by demonstrating your ability to understand and share the feelings of others in both written and spoken communication.

Common error

While "I empathized with" is a valid expression, avoid overusing "I" statements in your writing. Instead, focus on showing empathy through your actions and understanding, rather than just stating it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I empathized with" functions as a declarative statement expressing a feeling of understanding and shared emotion. It typically introduces a reason or context explaining why the speaker felt empathy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I empathized with" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing understanding and shared feelings. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to build rapport and convey emotional awareness. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides clear reasons for your empathy. Alternatives like "I sympathized with" or "I related to" can offer similar meanings depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I sympathized with

This is the closest synonym, indicating a shared feeling or understanding of someone's situation.

I felt compassion for

This alternative focuses more on feeling pity and concern for someone's suffering.

I felt their pain

Emphasizes the feeling of understanding and sharing someone's suffering.

I understood their feelings

This phrase emphasizes understanding someone's emotional state rather than sharing it.

I showed empathy to

Focuses on demonstrating understanding and care towards someone.

I felt for

A more informal way to express empathy or sympathy.

I identified with

This implies a deeper connection, suggesting you see aspects of yourself in the other person.

I related to

This phrase implies a connection based on shared experiences or perspectives.

I was moved by

Indicates being emotionally affected by someone's situation.

I shared their sorrow

Specifically refers to sharing feelings of sadness or grief.

FAQs

What does "I empathized with" mean?

It means you understood and shared the feelings of another person, often because you've experienced something similar or can imagine their situation.

Is it better to say "I sympathized with" or "I empathized with"?

While similar, "I sympathized with" implies feeling pity or sorrow for someone, while "I empathized with" suggests a deeper understanding and shared feeling.

How can I use "I empathized with" in a sentence?

You can use it to express your understanding and shared feelings, such as: "After hearing about her struggles, I empathized with her challenges."

What are some alternatives to saying "I empathized with"?

You can use alternatives like "I felt compassion for", "I understood their feelings", or "I sympathized with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.