sense of sympathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of sympathy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an emotional understanding or compassion towards someone else's feelings or situation. Example: "After hearing her story, I felt a deep sense of sympathy for her struggles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

For once, Mexicans can look northward with a sense of sympathy rather than envy.

The Economist

I will rewatch old episodes with a renewed sense of sympathy.

The Guardian - Travel

"They never expressed any sense of sympathy or regret for the consumers," Collins said.

The Guardian - Money

It's a classic tactic to bring people from outside, because they have no sense of sympathy for city dwellers".

The Guardian

The shooting was "100percentt justified," Mr. Scotto said, "but even being justified, you have to have a sense of sympathy".

The New York Times

Greenfeld has a gift for satire, but it's balanced by a sense of sympathy for his faux bohemians, and by the self-­consciousness of most of his characters, who know that they're types even as they insist on their individuality.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Ellis acts out of an innate sense of decency, sympathy and a need for friendship.

The Guardian - Film

Perhaps the novel's key line is: "His passion for the picturesque had stifled his sense of human sympathy".

The Guardian - Books

She was the stealth dead-cert: likely to get the most votes not on account of any sense of a sympathy or pity, or even because Academy members felt she was the most skilled of the bunch.

The Guardian - Film

By all accounts Kennedy was a fine person, and there's almost a sense of collective sympathy with the idea that alcoholism, the affliction that dogged his brilliant career, also robbed him of his life.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is the driving force of his positive solution to the Problem of Civil Rights call it the Natural Rights Argument which begins by asserting that rights exist, and not merely in the conventional or partial sense of public sympathy.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of sympathy" to convey a genuine emotional connection and understanding towards someone's situation. For example, "The community showed a strong "sense of sympathy" for the victims of the natural disaster".

Common error

Avoid using "sense of sympathy" when "sense of empathy" is more appropriate. Sympathy involves feeling for someone, while empathy involves feeling with someone. Choose the word that accurately reflects the depth of your understanding of the other person's experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of sympathy" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a feeling or understanding of someone else's suffering or misfortune. Ludwig shows it's often used to express compassion or understanding, acting as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

6%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sense of sympathy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to convey feelings of compassion and understanding towards others. As Ludwig AI has indicated, its use is widespread across various domains, notably in news media, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, be mindful of the distinction between sympathy and empathy. Alternative phrases such as "feeling of compassion" or "feeling of empathy" may be more appropriate depending on the context and the specific emotional nuance you wish to express. Always strive to accurately reflect the depth of your understanding and connection to the individual or situation you are addressing. The usage of the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of empathy

Emphasizes understanding and sharing the feelings of another person.

feeling of compassion

Focuses on the emotional aspect of caring about someone's suffering.

moment of compassion

Refers to a specific instance where sympathy is felt or expressed.

expression of empathy

Highlights the verbal or non-verbal communication of shared feelings.

display of compassion

Highlights the outward expression of sympathetic feelings.

gesture of sympathy

Implies a symbolic action intended to convey sympathetic feelings.

show of understanding

Emphasizes comprehension and acceptance of someone's situation.

spirit of understanding

Emphasizes an attitude or mindset focused on empathy and acceptance.

act of kindness

Focuses on the benevolent actions arising from sympathetic feelings.

air of compassion

Describes an atmosphere or feeling characterized by sympathy.

FAQs

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

You can use "sense of sympathy" to describe a feeling of understanding and compassion for someone else's situation. For example, "I felt a deep "sense of sympathy" for her after hearing about her loss."

What is the difference between "sense of sympathy" and "sense of empathy"?

"Sense of sympathy" implies feeling compassion for someone, while "sense of empathy" suggests a deeper understanding and sharing of the other person's feelings. Empathy involves putting yourself in their shoes.

What are some alternative phrases to "sense of sympathy"?

Some alternatives include "feeling of compassion", "feeling of understanding", or "display of compassion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "sense of sympathy"?

Yes, "sense of sympathy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It accurately describes the feeling of having compassion for someone.