in sympathy

USAGE SUMMARY

"in sympathy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express understanding, support, or sorrow for someone else. For example, "We offer our condolences to the family in sympathy during this difficult time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I nodded in sympathy.

The New Yorker

Choi shuddered in sympathy.

The New York Times - Sports

"Oooh!" someone said in sympathy.

The New York Times - Arts

Turkey blockades Armenia in sympathy.

The Economist

"I'm sorry," he says, in sympathy.

The New Yorker

Friel sneezes in sympathy.

The Guardian

Blair winced in sympathy.

The New Yorker

Picoult laughed in sympathy.

The New York Times - Magazine

The librarian shook her in sympathy.

The New Yorker

Some people said, "Aww...," in sympathy.

The New Yorker

The others nod in sympathy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in sympathy", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are sympathizing with. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in sympathy" when the situation calls for empathy. Sympathy involves understanding someone's feelings, while empathy involves sharing those feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in sympathy" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to express the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced. It indicates that an action is done with understanding, support, or sorrow for someone else's feelings or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0.01%

Wiki

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in sympathy" is a common and grammatically correct way to express shared feelings or understanding, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase, conveying empathy or support across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While interchangeable with phrases like "with compassion" or "showing empathy", it's crucial to use it accurately to reflect true understanding and avoid misinterpreting its scope. Remember that "in sympathy" expresses understanding, while "in empathy" shows shared feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with compassion

Focuses more on the feeling of deep sorrow for someone who is suffering.

sharing sorrow

Directly conveys the act of feeling sadness together with someone.

showing empathy

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

feeling for

A more casual way to express having sympathy for someone.

offering condolences

Specifically used to express sorrow for someone's loss or grief.

with heartfelt support

Emphasizes the genuine and sincere nature of the support offered.

in solidarity

Emphasizes unity and support for a cause or group.

in commiseration

Highlights the act of expressing sorrow or regret alongside someone.

expressing concern

Indicates a feeling of worry or unease about someone's situation.

with understanding

Highlights the act of comprehending someone's situation or feelings.

FAQs

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

You can use "in sympathy" to express shared feelings or understanding towards someone's situation. For example, "I nodded "in sympathy" when she described her difficulties".

What is a good alternative to using "in sympathy"?

Alternatives include phrases like "with compassion", "showing empathy", or "offering condolences" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am in sympathy for you"?

While understandable, it's more common and grammatically sound to say "I am "in sympathy with you"" or "I feel sympathy for you".

What does it mean when stock markets fall "in sympathy"?

When stock markets fall "in sympathy", it means they are declining in response to another market's downturn, indicating a shared negative sentiment or economic concern.