feel sympathy

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel sympathy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express compassion or understanding for another person. For example: "When I heard about her difficult situation, I felt sympathy for her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's hard to feel sympathy for Michelle Carter.

Los Angeles Times

I feel sympathy.

The New Yorker

I do feel sympathy toward Verna.

The New Yorker

And I feel sympathy with that.

The Guardian - Books

It makes you feel sympathy and admiration.

The Guardian

It's hard not to feel sympathy.

The Guardian

Everybody will feel sympathy for Kieron's situation".

The Guardian - Sport

It's hard to feel sympathy for Laura.

The Guardian

To a certain extent I feel sympathy.

The Guardian

Does she feel sympathy for Jenner?

The Guardian - Music

Do you think that we should feel sympathy for him?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel sympathy" when you genuinely understand and share the emotions of another person. Avoid using it insincerely, as it can come across as condescending.

Common error

Avoid using "feel sympathy" when you mean to express that you understand and share the feelings of another person (empathy). Sympathy involves feeling for someone, while empathy involves feeling with someone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel sympathy" functions as a verb phrase, where "feel" is the main verb and "sympathy" is the direct object. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use to express an emotional response to someone else's situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel sympathy" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express compassion or understanding for someone else's suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academic writing. While often used interchangeably with "show empathy", it's important to remember that sympathy involves feeling for someone, while empathy involves feeling with them. Remember to use it genuinely and avoid insincerity, as it can be easily perceived. Consider alternatives like "have compassion" or "be sorry for" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sorry for

Directly expresses regret or sadness for someone's situation.

have compassion

Focuses on the emotional aspect of compassion rather than the action of feeling sympathy.

show empathy

Emphasizes understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

express condolences

Specifically used to convey sympathy for someone's loss.

offer support

Highlights the act of providing assistance and comfort.

understand their pain

Focuses on comprehending the suffering of another person.

share their sorrow

Implies a shared experience of grief or sadness.

be moved by their plight

Highlights the emotional impact of someone's difficult situation.

pity them

Suggests a feeling of sorrow and compassion, sometimes with a hint of condescension.

have mercy

Implies a willingness to forgive or show leniency.

FAQs

How can I use "feel sympathy" in a sentence?

You can use "feel sympathy" to express compassion or understanding for someone's situation. For example, "I "feel sympathy" for those affected by the natural disaster."

What's the difference between "feel sympathy" and "show empathy"?

"Feel sympathy" implies compassion and sorrow for someone's misfortune, while "show empathy" suggests understanding and sharing their feelings. Empathy is about putting yourself in someone else's shoes.

When is it appropriate to use "feel sympathy"?

It's appropriate to use "feel sympathy" when you want to express your compassion for someone who is experiencing hardship, loss, or suffering.

What are some alternatives to "feel sympathy"?

You can use alternatives like "have compassion", "show empathy", or "be sorry for" depending on the context.