deep sympathy with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deep sympathy with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong feeling of compassion or understanding towards someone else's situation or feelings. Example: "I want to express my deep sympathy with those affected by the recent tragedy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I actually have deep sympathy with him.

The Guardian

"I have deep sympathy with those who find the inequality in the system horrendous".

The New York Times

"I feel a deep sympathy with the victims over this," said Michiaki Hatano, 30, a graduate.

The New York Times

Clark was driven by a sense of justice, a deep sympathy with crime victims, which sometimes led to emotional outbursts.

The Guardian - Books

"I have deep sympathy with him, he is obviously a man who has suffered a lot in his life.

The Guardian

There, he survives by virtue of the deep sympathy with nature that animates all of Ms. George's protagonists, until the modern world closes in again.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

For example: With caring thoughts, With loving memories, With love, With deepest sympathy, With heartfelt condolences, Our sincere sympathy, Write an intimate message if you knew the deceased well.

WikiHow

Stokes's Socrates is always ready to ask hard questions but is himself quite undogmatic, "in deeper sympathy with those who ask, than with those who with positive assurance answer, the profoundest questions".

The Guardian

Mr. Gordon's music combines his deep sympathy for musical theater with his devotion to American song.

The New York Times - Arts

I have deep sympathy for parents struggling with picky eaters, especially at food-centered gatherings.

Huffington Post

He was making his way to Machar with the ambition of learning more thoroughly about the South's resistance movement — one that stirred his deep sympathy — and with the belief that Machar would prove to be a pivotal hero among its commanders.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deep sympathy with", ensure the context clearly indicates the object of your sympathy to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who or what you sympathize with.

Common error

Avoid using "deep sympathy with" when the situation calls for action or practical help. While sympathy acknowledges suffering, it doesn't replace the need for concrete solutions or assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deep sympathy with" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, typically acting as a subject complement or part of a prepositional phrase. It expresses a strong feeling of compassion or understanding towards someone or something. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deep sympathy with" is a valid and usable phrase for expressing strong compassion and understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily to convey empathy, often appearing in neutral to professional contexts such as news reports and official statements. While interchangeable with alternatives like "profound empathy for" or "sincere sympathy for", it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with the expression of heartfelt support. Remember to specify the object of your sympathy for clarity. Use this phrase judiciously to genuinely connect with others during their times of need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sincere sympathy for

Highlights the genuineness and honesty of the sympathetic feelings.

deep compassion for

Emphasizes a feeling of concern and sorrow for someone's suffering.

profound sorrow for

Stresses the depth of sadness felt for someone's misfortune.

unfeigned sympathy toward

Underscores the sincerity and lack of pretense in the feeling of sympathy.

profound empathy for

Focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of another, rather than just feeling sorry for them.

great empathy towards

Similar to "profound empathy for", but may imply a slightly broader scope.

understanding and compassion towards

Combines both the cognitive aspect of understanding and the emotional aspect of compassion.

genuine concern for

Shifts the focus slightly from sympathy to active care and worry.

deepest regrets for

Often used to express sorrow for an action or event that caused harm or suffering.

heartfelt condolences to

A formal expression of sympathy, typically used in response to a death or significant loss.

FAQs

How can I use "deep sympathy with" in a sentence?

You can use "deep sympathy with" to express a strong feeling of understanding and compassion for someone. For example, "I have "deep sympathy with" those who lost their homes in the fire".

What are some alternatives to "deep sympathy with"?

Alternatives include "profound empathy for", "sincere sympathy for", or "heartfelt condolences to", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it better to express sympathy or empathy?

While both convey understanding of another's feelings, empathy ("deep empathy with") involves sharing those feelings, whereas sympathy ("deep sympathy with") is more about understanding and feeling sorry for someone.

What's the difference between "deep sympathy with" and "deepest sympathy with"?

"Deepest sympathy with" emphasizes the intensity of the feeling even more than ""deep sympathy with"", suggesting the strongest possible compassion or understanding.