less sympathetic of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less sympathetic of" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "less sympathetic to." Example: "She was less sympathetic to his excuses than she had been in the past."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rachael Stirling is surprised that Arabella is seen as the less sympathetic of the Younts.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hence the claims lodged by Nigeria against museums in America and Germany, as well as Britain, for the return of the bronzes.So far, western countries have tended to be less sympathetic to the claims of the formerly colonised than to those of the losers of the second world war.

The Economist

As irritated as certain Americans may be by what they consider excessive tolerance for foreigners and minorities, many in China are even less sympathetic to the plight of minorities.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bartlett argues that the Washington press corps has been far less sympathetic to the trials of managing a bioterror attack than the public has been -- and many agree.

The New York Times

Even a regime that will be less sympathetic to the plight of Indo-Fijian farmers will have to deal with the likely threat to the country's sugar industry caused by mass evictions.

The Economist

Are you more or less sympathetic to the plight of Chinese and African immigrants who both struggle to adapt to new languages, cultures and customs?

Huffington Post

Mr. Bloomberg has managed simultaneously to be less sympathetic to the protesters' point of view, and more sympathetic to their right to protest, than some other elected officials around the nation.

The New York Times

Two of his colleagues are less sympathetic to psychological disorders, but probably not immune to all of them.

The New York Times - Arts

Roberto Scandiuzzi, a basso nobile who has made the 1881 role of the outraged father Jacopo Fiesco very much his own, was fascinated to see the earlier version staged, but would not wish to sing it because of the higher tessitura of the original scoring, and the less sympathetic emphasis of the characterisation.

The Economist

In large part this is due to an incredible central performance by Mark Rylance, who brings a stillness and watchfulness to the dark-clad Cromwell – even his scarlet velvet the colour "of a bruise" – to challenge less sympathetic portrayals of the blacksmith's son.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A less sympathetic contemporary of Lucretius, Cicero, also wrote a number of Latin works in which an Epicurean spokesman presents the doctrines of the school.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, replace "less sympathetic of" with "less sympathetic to". This correction enhances clarity and aligns with standard English usage.

Common error

Avoid using "of" after "sympathetic". The correct preposition to use is "to", as in "less sympathetic to their plight". Using "of" can make your writing sound unnatural or grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less sympathetic of" functions as a modifier, attempting to describe a reduced level of empathy or compassion. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the correct preposition to use with "sympathetic" is "to", not "of".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less sympathetic of" might be understood in casual conversation, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct preposition to use with "sympathetic" is "to". Therefore, alternatives like "less sympathetic to", "less understanding of", or "less compassionate toward" are preferable for ensuring grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing. While some sources may use the phrase, adhering to standard grammar practices will enhance the credibility and effectiveness of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less sympathetic to

Replaces "of" with the more grammatically correct preposition "to".

not as sympathetic to

Uses a slightly different structure to express a similar degree of sympathy.

less understanding of

Shifts the focus from sympathy to comprehension.

less compassionate toward

Emphasizes a lack of active compassion.

less empathetic towards

Highlights a reduced capacity for sharing feelings.

less charitable to

Indicates a lack of leniency or forgiveness.

less kind to

Focuses on a reduction in general kindness.

less responsive to

Suggests a reduced reaction to another's emotions or needs.

less moved by

Focuses on a lack of emotional impact.

less affected by

Highlights a lack of emotional or behavioral influence.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "less sympathetic"?

The correct way to phrase it is "less sympathetic to", for example, "She was "less sympathetic to" his excuses".

Is it grammatically correct to say "less sympathetic of"?

No, "less sympathetic of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The standard construction is "less sympathetic to".

What can I say instead of "less sympathetic of"?

Alternatives include "less understanding of", "less compassionate toward", or simply "less sympathetic to".

How does the meaning change when using "less sympathetic to" instead of "less sympathetic of"?

Using "less sympathetic to" ensures grammatical correctness and clarity. While the intended meaning might be understood with "less sympathetic of", it deviates from standard English usage.