develop sympathy for

USAGE SUMMARY

'develop sympathy for' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when expressing an understanding for another person's perspective or feelings. For example, "The documentary helped me to develop sympathy for those living in poverty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In a speech and in answers to questions on Wednesday at the Foreign Correspondents Clubb in Hong Kong, Ms. Chang defended her work as fair while acknowledging that she "did develop sympathy for her".

The New York Times

A movie of 208 minutes takes some tall explaining, but here we develop sympathy for the notion that extra length is sometimes more tolerable at home, where viewing is more relaxed, than in a theater, where the audience reaches a threshold with no way of taking a break.

The New York Times

We must develop sympathy for those struggling with things that we can't understand.

Huffington Post

In these passages you develop sympathy for Kate because she tenderly cares for Jake and when she begins to date Len, one knows why.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

McIntosh also developed sympathy for the often-emotional athletes on the court.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is a friend-raising exercise, developing sympathy for what we do".

The New York Times

No real-life Israeli has developed sympathy for his captors the way the fictional US marine did.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'd posit that developing sympathy for someone with six arms and green skin who communicates through smell would be easier than doing the same for, say, Dick Cheney.

The Guardian - Opinion

Parenthood cramps Louka's style, which includes goosing pretty women with his bow in midsong, but he develops sympathy for the homesick child and asks a girlfriend who teaches Russian to read Kolya a bedtime story in his native language.

The New York Times

Law enforcement officials had no explanation of why the youth developed sympathy for Osama bin Laden, and they spent the day interviewing the youth's mother, Julia Bishop, at her apartment in Palm Harbor, north of St . Petersburg

The New York Times

In the back of the bus a village girl sits with her mother, who is taking her to Tokyo to be sold into prostitution; the driver's developing sympathy for her plight forms the film's main, and largely unverbalized, plotline.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "develop sympathy for" when you want to express a growing understanding and compassion for someone or something. Ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for developing this sympathy.

Common error

Avoid assuming that developing sympathy for someone means you necessarily agree with their actions or beliefs. Sympathy involves understanding their feelings, not condoning their choices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop sympathy for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of emotional growth or change. It describes the action of cultivating understanding and compassion towards someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop sympathy for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate the growth of understanding and compassion towards someone or something. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is commonly found in various sources, including news, media, and academic writings. While the phrase is suitable for neutral contexts, it's essential to distinguish between sympathy and agreement, and to use the phrase appropriately to avoid misinterpretations. Alternative phrases like "cultivate compassion for" or "foster empathy towards" may be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate compassion for

Emphasizes the active nurturing of compassion.

foster empathy towards

Highlights the growth of understanding and sharing feelings.

gain understanding of

Focuses on acquiring knowledge and insight.

build rapport with

Stresses the creation of a harmonious relationship.

grow to appreciate

Highlights the increasing recognition of value.

begin to understand

Indicates the initial stage of comprehension.

form a connection with

Emphasizes the establishment of a bond.

feel for

A shorter and more direct way of expressing sympathy.

take an interest in

Highlights the development of curiosity and concern.

become sensitive to

Focuses on increased awareness of feelings and needs.

FAQs

How can I use "develop sympathy for" in a sentence?

You can use "develop sympathy for" to describe a process of understanding and feeling compassion for someone or something. For example, "After learning about their struggles, I began to "develop sympathy for" the refugees".

What's the difference between "develop empathy for" and "develop sympathy for"?

"Develop empathy for" implies understanding and sharing the feelings of another, while "develop sympathy for" suggests feeling compassion or sorrow for someone's plight. Empathy involves a deeper emotional connection.

Is it always appropriate to "develop sympathy for" someone?

While developing understanding is generally positive, be mindful of the context. Showing sympathy might be misconstrued as condoning harmful actions. Consider whether understanding or "acknowledging the situation" is more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "develop sympathy for"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "cultivate compassion for", "foster empathy towards", or "gain understanding of".