profound sympathy

USAGE SUMMARY

'profound sympathy' is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You would typically use this when you want to express a deep or sincere level of sympathy or compassion. For example: "I wish to express my profound sympathy for the family of the deceased."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

With tears, love and profound sympathy.

The New York Times

To Barbara and loved ones, we express our profound sympathy.

The New York Times

We extend our profound sympathy to her family.

The New York Times

We extend our profound sympathy to the entire family.

The New York Times

Our profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the family.

The New York Times

Our profound sympathy goes out to Stephen and her family.

The New York Times

We express our profound sympathy to his family.

The New York Times

Mr. Cortez, especially, felt profound sympathy with Laughton's objectives.

The New York Times

My family offers our profound sympathy to his family.

The New York Times

Our profound sympathy to his wife Florence and family.

The New York Times

Hineni Expresses profound sympathy to Sherry Cohen and family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "profound sympathy" with specific actions or words of support to make your expression more meaningful, for example, offering assistance or sharing a memory.

Common error

Avoid using "profound sympathy" in casual conversations or informal settings. The phrase can sound overly formal or insincere if not used appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound sympathy" primarily functions as a noun phrase, expressing a strong and deep feeling of compassion and sorrow for someone else's suffering. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is used to express a deep or sincere level of sympathy or compassion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound sympathy" is a noun phrase used to express deep compassion and empathy, typically in formal contexts such as news reports, official statements, or condolence messages. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and effective way to convey a strong sense of sorrow and support. While highly appropriate in serious situations, it's best to avoid using it in casual settings where it may sound overly formal. Alternatives such as "deepest condolences" or "heartfelt compassion" can also be considered based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deepest condolences

Emphasizes grief and sorrow, suitable for expressing sympathy for a loss.

utmost sympathy

Highlights the extreme degree of sympathy felt.

heartfelt compassion

Focuses on the emotional depth and sincerity of the sympathy.

boundless compassion

Suggests an unlimited capacity for sympathy and understanding.

sincere empathy

Highlights understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

immense empathy

Focuses on a great ability to share and understand the feelings of others.

deep sorrow

Expresses the emotional pain felt in response to someone's suffering.

earnest condolences

Underlines the honesty and seriousness of the sympathetic feelings.

intense commiseration

Implies a strong feeling of sorrow and pity for someone's misfortune.

genuine solicitude

Conveys care and concern for someone's well-being and distress.

FAQs

How to use "profound sympathy" in a sentence?

You can use "profound sympathy" to express deep compassion, for example, "We extend our "profound sympathy" to the family during this difficult time" or "I wish to express my "profound sympathy" for your loss".

What can I say instead of "profound sympathy"?

You can use alternatives like "deepest condolences", "heartfelt compassion", or "sincere empathy" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "profound sympathy" in all situations?

While "profound sympathy" is a powerful expression, it's best reserved for formal or serious situations. In casual settings, simpler expressions of sympathy may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "profound sympathy" and "simple sympathy"?

"Profound sympathy" indicates a deeper, more intense level of compassion and understanding compared to simple sympathy. It's used when acknowledging significant grief or loss.