be sympathetic with

USAGE SUMMARY

"be sympathetic with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to encourage someone to empathize with a difficult situation or another person's feelings. For example: "When talking to her about her struggles, be sympathetic with her plight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Now the problem was how to convince fellow evolutionists who now seemed to be sympathetic with the balance theory.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"There's a natural bent in some of the clubs to be sympathetic with the underdog," Mr. Botfeld said.

The New York Times

But in Oshkosh the guardsmen turned out to be sympathetic with the strikers, and after less than a week the mayor sent them back to Milwaukee.

The New Yorker

It allowed him to be sympathetic with the marginal cause of classical music in a largely folkloric culture and at the same time to propose a loyalty to that culture, which earned him the inaugural Sean O'Boyle Award in 1986.

The Guardian

One can be sympathetic with Kukil's project of correcting Hughes's editing of Plath's journals while retaining some doubt as to the wisdom -- and the ethics -- of exposing a major writer's unrevised, inferior work.

The New York Times - Books

And now I'm going to be sympathetic with whoever comes next!" "We're just like football fans here," an engineer named Mohamed Latif told me, in a village called El-Araba.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

I was sympathetic with his problem.

The New York Times - Books

Writer wonders if viewers are sympathetic with these writers.

The New Yorker

"We understand their position, and we are sympathetic with them.

The New York Times

"I'm sympathetic with people who cover their own ass.

The New Yorker

"I was sympathetic with Morsi until they removed him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be sympathetic with", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what you are being sympathetic towards. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the message of empathy.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, overuse of "be sympathetic with" in highly formal or business settings can appear insincere. Opt for more direct expressions of understanding or support to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sympathetic with" functions as a verb phrase expressing an attitude of understanding, care, or concern toward someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be sympathetic with" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to express empathy and understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, primarily in news and media, academic discussions, and general communication. While the phrase conveys a sense of care and support, it's crucial to use it genuinely and appropriately, being mindful of the specific context and audience. Alternatives like ""empathize with"" or "show compassion for" can offer alternative nuances depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empathize with

Highlights the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

be understanding of

Focuses on comprehending someone's situation or feelings.

be considerate of

Focuses on being thoughtful and aware of someone's feelings.

show compassion for

Focuses on actively displaying compassion.

have compassion for

Emphasizes feeling compassion towards someone.

understand the plight of

Emphasizes understanding someone's difficult situation.

be supportive of

Focuses on actively providing support.

feel for

A more informal way of expressing sympathy.

offer support to

Highlights the act of providing assistance and encouragement.

share someone's sorrow

Emphasizes the act of sharing sadness or grief.

FAQs

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

You can use "be sympathetic with" to express understanding and compassion towards someone or something. For example, "It's important to be sympathetic with people who are struggling."

What does it mean to "be sympathetic with" someone?

To "be sympathetic with" someone means to understand and share their feelings, especially when they are experiencing difficulties or sorrow.

Which is a better alternative to "be sympathetic with": "empathize with" or sympathize with?

Empathize with indicates a deeper understanding and sharing of feelings, while sympathize with suggests feeling pity or sorrow for someone. The better choice depends on the depth of understanding you want to convey.

How does "be sympathetic with" differ from "be empathetic toward"?

While similar, "be sympathetic with" generally implies feeling sorry for someone's situation, while "be empathetic toward" suggests a deeper understanding and sharing of their feelings. Empathy involves putting yourself in their shoes, whereas sympathy can be more detached.