capable of sympathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of sympathy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has the ability to feel or express compassion or understanding towards others. Example: "Despite his tough exterior, he is capable of sympathy and often helps those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But we are also capable of sympathy, forgiveness, pity and gratitude.

The Guardian

Henkes's book is squarely traditional in its message, yet in the context of modern picture books its confidence in the idea that young children are capable of sympathy — even moral growth — feels positively radical.

The New Yorker

He's capable of sympathy and kindness.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Lucky Pierre," like Mr. Coover's other novels, isn't so experimental that it fails to be about something capable of eliciting sympathy and interest.

The New York Times - Books

It's tempting to say that Pollock has set loose a crew of grotesques — but grotesques, for all their twisted absurdities, are still capable of arousing sympathy amid revulsion, and "The Devil All the Time" is a darker book than that.

The New York Times - Books

He's not capable of understanding.

Wikipedia

Only problem is I can't imagine that's there any one left alive capable of feeling any sympathy for Jose Mourinho, let alone making the movie".

The Guardian - Sport

Feelings of empathy between individuals are shown in humans, apes and elephants and now scientists have found that a small rodent called the praire vole is also capable of showing emotional sympathy towards less fortunate members of their group.

Independent

While he's capable of feeling human sympathy, he's equally capable of coolly committing murder.

BBC

He was capable of love and sympathy, and he discarded them.

Huffington Post

None of these three people are particularly likable, but they all seem worthy of sympathy, in part because they remain capable of showing it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capable of sympathy", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the capacity for understanding and sharing the feelings of others. Avoid using it when describing purely intellectual understanding without emotional resonance.

Common error

Don't confuse being "capable of sympathy" with necessarily agreeing with or condoning someone's actions. It means you can understand their feelings, not that you endorse their behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of sympathy" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often a person or character) to describe their inherent ability to experience and express compassion and understanding. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capable of sympathy" describes the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, a quality often valued in personal and professional contexts. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct, although not very common. While grammatically straightforward, understanding the distinction between "capable of sympathy" and similar phrases, such as "worthy of sympathy", is key to effective communication. As Ludwig AI indicates, "capable of sympathy" highlights a personal attribute while "worthy of sympathy" refers to the state of deserving compassion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to empathize

Focuses more directly on the act of understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

compassionate

Emphasizes the feeling and demonstration of pity and concern for others.

having compassion

Highlights the possession of compassion as a trait.

able to show compassion

Focuses on the ability to outwardly express compassionate feelings.

understanding

Implies a cognitive grasp of another's situation, potentially leading to sympathy.

sensitive to others' feelings

Highlights the awareness and consideration of other people's emotional states.

having a sympathetic nature

Describes a personality that is naturally inclined towards feeling sympathy.

moved by others' suffering

Focuses on the emotional impact of others' pain, evoking a feeling of sympathy.

responsive to suffering

Highlights the act of being reactive or being susceptible to other's pain.

susceptible to pity

Emphasizes a vulnerability to feeling pity, which is a component of sympathy.

FAQs

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

You can use "capable of sympathy" to describe a person, character, or even an abstract concept that possesses the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. For example, "Despite his gruff exterior, he was "capable of sympathy" and offered genuine comfort".

What are some alternatives to "capable of sympathy"?

Alternatives to "capable of sympathy" include "able to empathize", "compassionate", or "understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "capable to sympathize" instead of "capable of sympathy"?

While "sympathize" is a verb, the correct phrasing is "capable of sympathy", using "sympathy" as a noun. "Capable to sympathize" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "capable of sympathy" and "worthy of sympathy"?

"Capable of sympathy" describes someone or something that can feel or understand the feelings of others. "Worthy of sympathy", on the other hand, describes someone or something that deserves to be felt for or understood.