be sympathetic to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be sympathetic to" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to show understanding and support for someone's feelings or situation. Example: The teacher encouraged her students to be sympathetic to each other's struggles and offer help and support whenever needed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They should be sympathetic to that.

The New York Times

No news organisation should be sympathetic to this strategy.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I have to be sympathetic to saving postage".

The New York Times

Vestager, thankfully, may be sympathetic to White's views.

The Guardian

Of course he will be sympathetic to OPEC.

The New York Times

Perhaps we should be sympathetic to this ignorance.

The Guardian

Few are likely to be sympathetic to Verizon.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You can't be sympathetic to a man like this.

The Guardian

"We therefore thought she would be sympathetic to our message".

The New York Times

And several groups in the United States are believed to be sympathetic to Al Qaeda.

The New York Times

Democrats had good reason to believe Mr. Bartels might be sympathetic to their argument.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the level of formality. While generally suitable for most contexts, more formal language may be appropriate for certain professional or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "be sympathetic to" when the appropriate response is empathy or action. Sympathy acknowledges feelings, but empathy shares them, and sometimes action is required, not just acknowledgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sympathetic to" functions as a predicative expression indicating an attitude of understanding, concern, and support towards a person, situation, or cause. Ludwig AI provides various examples demonstrating its application in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be sympathetic to" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that expresses understanding, support, and concern towards a person, situation, or cause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, ensure clarity in specifying what or whom you are being sympathetic towards, and consider the nuances of alternative phrases like "be understanding of" or "empathize with" to precisely convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be understanding of

This phrase emphasizes comprehension and acceptance of someone's situation, shifting the focus slightly from outward support to internal understanding.

show compassion towards

This alternative highlights the emotional aspect of feeling and expressing concern for someone's suffering.

be considerate of

Focuses on being mindful of other's feelings and needs, which is a component of being sympathetic.

empathize with

This phrase emphasizes the ability to share and understand the feelings of another, implying a deeper emotional connection.

be supportive of

This option focuses on providing encouragement and assistance, emphasizing action and advocacy.

have a favorable view of

This alternative suggests a positive opinion or attitude, which may not necessarily involve emotional sympathy.

be well-disposed toward

This phrase indicates a positive and friendly attitude, though it might lack the emotional depth of "be sympathetic to".

be agreeable to

This phrase suggests a willingness to accept or approve something, focusing on agreement rather than empathy.

lean towards

This alternative suggests a tendency to support or agree with something, but it is less direct and emphatic than "be sympathetic to".

be favorably inclined to

A more formal and distant way of showing a positive attitude or disposition toward something, without necessarily implying deep sympathy.

FAQs

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

You can use "be sympathetic to" to show understanding or support. For example, "The manager tried to be sympathetic to the employee's personal issues." Another example, as shown by Ludwig, is "They should "be sympathetic to" that."

What are some alternatives to "be sympathetic to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "be understanding of", "show compassion towards", or "empathize with".

Is there a difference between "be sympathetic to" and "be empathetic to"?

"Be sympathetic to" implies understanding someone's feelings, while "be empathetic to" means sharing those feelings. Empathy involves a deeper level of emotional connection.

When is it not appropriate to "be sympathetic to" someone?

It might not be appropriate to "be sympathetic to" someone if their actions are harmful or unethical. In such cases, understanding the reasons behind their actions is different from condoning them.