offer condolences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "offer condolences" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used in situations where someone has experienced a loss or is going through a difficult time, and you want to express your sympathy and support. Example: I would like to offer my deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved grandmother. She was a kind and loving woman who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts during this difficult time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

If you don't have the ability to help, you can still offer condolences without offering assistance.

WikiHow

Please visit: www.mem.com for detailed biography and to offer condolences.

The New York Times

We humbly offer condolences to his family for their loss.

The New York Times

I offer condolences to Arch's wife, Nancy, and family.

The New York Times

Rabbi Mazo hugged distraught congregants, trying to offer condolences.

The New York Times

We offer condolences to the families of the deceased".

The Guardian

After all, he was there in time to offer condolences at a time of national grief.

The Economist

So many people were coming to offer condolences," she recalled later.

The New Yorker

Go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Gayer's guest book.

The New York Times

Mr. Gentile and Mr. Bloomberg each phoned Mr. Montello's family to offer condolences.

The New York Times

As Mr. O'Connell sat at a restaurant this morning, people stopped to offer condolences.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Acknowledge the specific loss and, if appropriate, share a positive memory of the person who has passed away.

Common error

Avoid offering generic or cliché condolences that may seem insincere. Tailor your message to the specific situation and your relationship with the person who is grieving. Show empathy and understanding, rather than simply reciting empty phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "offer condolences" functions as a performative verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it expresses the act of conveying sympathy and support to someone who has experienced a loss, such as the death of a loved one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "offer condolences" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase for expressing sympathy, particularly in response to a death or significant loss. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness and common usage. The examples show that it is most frequently encountered in News & Media. While the phrase itself is relatively straightforward, it's essential to ensure that the expression of sympathy is genuine and tailored to the specific situation. Alternatives such as ""express condolences"" and "extend sympathy" offer similar ways to convey support, while maintaining a respectful and empathetic tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

express condolences

A direct synonym, focusing on the act of verbalizing the sympathy.

extend sympathy

Expresses a similar sentiment of showing compassion, but focuses more on the feeling of sympathy itself.

convey sympathy

Similar to "extend sympathy", but emphasizes the act of communicating the feeling.

send deepest sympathies

Implies a more profound and heartfelt expression of sorrow.

show compassion

Focuses on demonstrating empathy and care, which is a broader sentiment than specifically condolences.

share grief

Emphasizes participating in the mourning process, suggesting a shared emotional experience.

provide comfort

Shifts the focus from expressing sadness to providing solace and support.

bear sorrow

Highlights the act of enduring sadness, indicating a more personal connection to the loss.

lend support

Highlights offering practical assistance and emotional strength during a difficult time.

give regards

More general and less formal way to offer support.

FAQs

How do I use "offer condolences" in a sentence?

You can use "offer condolences" to express sympathy and support to someone who has experienced a loss. For example, "I would like to "express condolences" to the family of the deceased."

What's a more formal way to "offer condolences"?

In more formal settings, you might say, "Please accept my sincerest condolences" or "I "extend my deepest sympathy" to you and your family."

What can I say instead of "offer condolences"?

You can use alternatives like "express sympathy", "convey sympathy", or "send deepest sympathies" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to "offer condolences" for events other than deaths?

While primarily used for deaths, "offer condolences" can also be used for other significant losses or hardships, such as a major disaster or a severe illness, to "show compassion" and support.