intense sympathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intense sympathy" 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 emotions. Example: "After hearing about her loss, I felt an intense sympathy for her and wanted to offer my support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Her death prompted an outpouring of grief and remembrance in the publishing world and intense sympathy for Barnes.

The Guardian - Books

But sometimes they part, sadder and wiser in the feeling that there was more intense sympathy in separation.

The New York Times

One of the things that makes the story powerful is that the people who threaten Aubby and Clara are also the objects of their intense sympathy.

The New Yorker

The intense sympathy and affection with which Ackroyd tells the city's story suggests that his reaction to the place is not dissimilar to Lamb's.

The New York Times - Books

If you read all the self-portraits on the "We are the ninety-nine percenTumblrblogblog, you feel, along with intense sympathy and interest, a nagging question: do you bear any responsibility at all?

The New Yorker

Given the demonization of Mr. Madoff and the intense sympathy for the plight of those smaller investors who trusted him, it is easy to forget that he actually did bring something to the table.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Because he wrote personal nature essays, and not scientific reports, Long believed that his readers required from him "not simply eyes and ears and a note-book; but insight, imagination, and, above all, an intense human sympathy, by which alone the inner life of an animal becomes luminous, and without which the living creatures are little better than stuffed specimens".

Wikipedia

The resulting piece would not claim to be a scientific study of current British public opinion, which according to poll after poll combines an intense, media-stoked sympathy for the troops with deep uncertainty about why they are still fighting in Afghanistan.

The Economist

Cameron might have been able to capture something of Eliot's great seriousness, intelligence, and generosity — her expression "not only of habitual brooding thought and intellectual travail but of intense and yearning human sympathy and tenderness," as one observer put it.

The New Yorker

The intense confrontation, the hint of unspoken understandings and sympathies, might conceivably put the audience in mind of Bergman's Persona.

The Guardian - Film

The intense scrutiny prompted a few complaints, but also some sympathy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intense sympathy" to convey a powerful emotional response, particularly when describing feelings towards someone facing hardship or tragedy.

Common error

Avoid using "intense sympathy" in everyday situations where a milder expression of concern would be more appropriate. Save it for scenarios that genuinely warrant a strong emotional response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intense sympathy" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object or complement of a verb. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and denotes a strong feeling of compassion or understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intense sympathy" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to express a strong feeling of compassion or understanding towards someone's suffering. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its uncommon usage suggests it should be reserved for situations genuinely warranting such a powerful emotional response. Alternatives like "deep compassion" or "profound empathy" can offer similar meanings. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing the most appropriate expression of sympathy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep compassion

Replaces "sympathy" with a synonym emphasizing the depth of feeling.

profound empathy

Substitutes "sympathy" with "empathy", highlighting the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

acute understanding

Focuses on the depth of comprehension of another's situation.

strong compassion

Similar to "deep compassion" but uses "strong" as an intensifier.

overwhelming pity

Highlights the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering of others.

great sorrow

Emphasizes the feeling of sadness and regret for someone else's misfortune.

heartfelt condolences

A more formal expression of sympathy, typically used in situations of loss.

sincere commiseration

Expresses genuine feelings of sorrow and understanding for someone's troubles.

deep concern

Focuses on the level of worry and care felt for someone in a difficult situation.

intense sorrow

Synonymous with "great sorrow", placing emphasis on the emotion itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "intense sympathy" to describe a strong feeling of compassion. For example: "I felt "intense sympathy" for the victims of the disaster."

What's the difference between "intense sympathy" and "deep compassion"?

While both phrases express strong feelings, "intense sympathy" emphasizes the strength of feeling sorry for someone's misfortune, while "deep compassion" focuses more on the desire to alleviate their suffering.

Are there situations where it's inappropriate to express "intense sympathy"?

Yes, expressing "intense sympathy" might be seen as excessive or insincere in minor or trivial situations. Consider the context and use more moderate language if appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "intense sympathy" for formal writing?

In formal writing, you might consider using alternatives like "profound empathy", "heartfelt condolences", or "sincere commiseration" to express similar sentiments with a more refined tone.