a sympathetic listener

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sympathetic listener" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is understanding and compassionate when listening to others' concerns or feelings. Example: "During our conversation, I found her to be a sympathetic listener, which made it easier for me to share my thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

She was a sympathetic listener.

The Guardian - Film

He found Spaniards eager to talk with a sympathetic listener as a way to put "ghosts" to rest.

The New York Times

The other kitchen helpers kept coming to her with their paycheck woes, and she was a sympathetic listener.

The New York Times

O'Brien summons that specter in "Shovel Kings," in which a laborer in his mid-50s tells his story to a sympathetic listener at an Irish pub in North London.

The New York Times - Books

In the years since their first conversation, during the Compaq acquisition, Keyworth and Kawamoto had spoken often by telephone, and he had found her to be a sympathetic listener, especially while his wife was ill with terminal cancer.

The New Yorker

But these are some of the ways she describes her daughter: inquisitive, with a rich inner life; creative; an intense observer; an artist; a sympathetic listener; expressive; a constant doodler; able to connect with different people; a poet.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The effect of this doubled inwardness, in the case of "The Rags of Time," is a book that feels as if it is addressed to a very sympathetic listener — not the author herself, but the kind of ideal reader (or friend) we all wish for, who knows what we're going to say before we say it.

The New York Times - Books

But wouldn't it be better to have a more sympathetic listener in the Senate?

Huffington Post

In "Nunc Dimittis," the narrator expresses a wish "to address myself to an imaginary and sympathetic listener, a kind of mythical you," and it's just that "mythical you" that the reader so often feels herself to be.

The New York Times - Books

But when it came to the Men, he was a patient and sympathetic listener for all their travails, greeting each and every one with his customary salutation ("Hiya, keed!"), draping a fatherly arm over their shoulders, giving them wise counsel and often advancing them loans to buy first homes or pay for their kids' educations.

The New York Times

Yet Hessler was a sympathetic observer, and as he gained fluency in Chinese, an even more sympathetic listener.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a sympathetic listener" to illustrate how someone actively makes others feel heard and understood, especially during difficult times.

Common error

Avoid using "a sympathetic listener" when you mean someone who merely agrees with the speaker. Sympathy involves understanding and sharing feelings, not just concurring.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a sympathetic listener" is to act as a noun phrase functioning as a subject complement or direct object, describing a person's characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage. It modifies the noun "listener" by adding the adjective "sympathetic".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sympathetic listener" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes someone who listens with empathy and understanding. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, particularly in news and media, with its function to characterize someone who provides emotional support. While often confused with merely agreeing, the phrase suggests a deeper connection of shared feelings. Using alternatives like "an empathetic listener" or "a compassionate listener" can add nuance, but the core meaning remains consistent: offering comfort through attentive listening.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an empathetic listener

Replaces "sympathetic" with "empathetic", emphasizing the ability to share and understand another's feelings.

a compassionate listener

Substitutes "sympathetic" with "compassionate", highlighting the feeling of concern for someone's suffering.

an understanding listener

Replaces "sympathetic" with "understanding", focusing on the ability to grasp and accept another's perspective.

a receptive listener

Emphasizes the listener's openness and willingness to hear and consider what is being said.

a good listener

A more general term that implies attentiveness and engagement, though not necessarily sympathy.

a caring listener

Focuses on the listener's concern and support for the speaker.

an attentive listener

Highlights the listener's focus and concentration on what is being communicated.

a supportive listener

Emphasizes the listener's provision of encouragement and positive feedback.

a patient listener

Highlights the listener's willingness to listen without interruption or judgment.

a kind listener

Focuses on the listener's gentleness and compassion.

FAQs

How can I use "a sympathetic listener" in a sentence?

You can use "a sympathetic listener" to describe someone who is understanding and compassionate when listening to others' concerns or feelings. For example: "She was "a sympathetic listener" when I shared my problems with her."

What are some alternative phrases for "a sympathetic listener"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an empathetic listener", "a compassionate listener", or "an understanding listener", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a sympathetic listener"?

Yes, the phrase "a sympathetic listener" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe someone who listens with understanding and empathy.

What's the difference between "a sympathetic listener" and "a good listener"?

"A good listener" is a general term for someone who pays attention and understands what is being said. "A sympathetic listener" specifically implies that the person also feels and understands the other person's emotions.