act of sympathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act of sympathy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to actions that express compassion and solidarity with another person, particularly in unfortunate or difficult circumstances. For example, "My neighbor sent me flowers as an act of sympathy after my father's passing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But he is brave enough to try to discover, through relentless reporting and a sustained and admirable act of sympathy, the right questions.

The New York Times - Books

Without sentimentalizing the characters of "Heaven Knows What," and without romanticizing addiction or dereliction in any way, the Safdies achieve an immediate contact with experience itself, making the film a radical act of sympathy that nonetheless doesn't suspend or defy judgment.

The New Yorker

Narayan explains the idea of Cheenu keeping Bhagyalaskhmi with him not only as an act of sympathy and love, but also with the intention to preserve her like a portrait.

Wikipedia

This action leads to a nation-wide smear campaign which alleged that Khan (who is a Muslim) might have "thrown" the game in an act of sympathy towards Pakistan.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There were also personal acts of sympathy.

The New York Times

The town has been so inundated with these and other acts of sympathy that at one point officials implored other communities to stop sending gifts of toys and other goods and to give them to their own charities in the name of the Sandy Hook victims.

The New York Times

In the spring of 1938, Zora Neale Hurston informed readers of the Saturday Review of Literature that Mr. Richard Wright's first published book, "Uncle Tom's Children," was made up of four novellas set in a Dismal Swamp of race hatred, in which not a single act of understanding or sympathy occurred, and in which the white man was generally shot dead.

The New Yorker

It is important to recognize that human rights organizations do not act out of sympathy for prisoners guilty of crimes.

The New York Times

'THE SEAFARER' Conor McPherson gives the devil his due, and even a bit of sympathy, in this brilliantly acted story of one very drunken Christmas Eve in Dublin.

The New York Times

A load of children, led only, I think, by their good instincts, bestowed on me a collective act of kindness, sympathy and solidarity.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Lanzmann films himself into that history — in an act of imaginative sympathy with deportees and with Murmelstein — he himself partakes of the miracle of survival and accepts the profound responsibility that survival places on him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "act of sympathy" when you want to emphasize a specific action taken to express compassion or support, making sure the context clearly indicates the emotion behind the action.

Common error

Avoid using "act of sympathy" to describe mere feelings or passive expressions of sadness. It should describe a concrete action taken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of sympathy" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific action performed out of compassion or concern for someone else's suffering. It denotes a tangible expression of supportive feelings, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of sympathy" is a noun phrase used to describe a specific action expressing compassion or support. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, wiki entries and formal business communications. While alternatives like "compassionate gesture" or "expression of compassion" exist, "act of sympathy" emphasizes the tangible action taken. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the emotion behind the action, and avoid using it merely to describe passive feelings. By following these guidelines, you can effectively convey empathy and provide meaningful support through your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compassionate gesture

Focuses on the gesture aspect, emphasizing the feeling of compassion.

expression of compassion

Highlights the emotional expression aspect, rather than the action itself.

consoling effort

Specifically refers to actions taken to provide comfort and consolation.

display of empathy

Emphasizes understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

benevolent act

Highlights the charitable and generous nature of the action.

kind deed

Broader term, referring to any act of kindness, not specifically sympathy.

thoughtful action

Emphasizes the consideration and thoughtfulness behind the action.

supportive measure

Highlights the supportive aspect of the action taken.

gesture of goodwill

Focuses on the intention of promoting positive feelings and relations.

humanitarian act

Implies a large-scale action aimed at alleviating suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "act of sympathy" in a sentence?

You can use "act of sympathy" to describe a specific action taken to show support or compassion. For example, "Sending a card was a small "act of sympathy" after hearing about her loss."

What's a more formal alternative to "act of sympathy"?

A more formal alternative could be "expression of compassion" or "gesture of goodwill". These phrases maintain a similar meaning but are suitable for more formal contexts.

Is there a difference between "act of empathy" and "act of sympathy"?

While related, "act of empathy" implies understanding and sharing another's feelings, while ""act of sympathy"" focuses on showing compassion and support, even without necessarily sharing the same feelings.

What are some other words to describe an "act of sympathy"?

Alternatives include "compassionate gesture", "kind deed", or "thoughtful action", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.