statement of condolence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "statement of condolence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing sympathy or sorrow, particularly in the context of someone's loss or bereavement. Example: "I would like to offer my heartfelt statement of condolence to the family during this difficult time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement of condolence.

The New York Times

Today, Mr. Condit issued a two-line statement of condolence.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, the White House released a statement of condolence to Brown's family.

The New Yorker

A presidential statement of condolence can be expected and will be entirely appropriate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Attorney General John Ashcroft issued a statement of condolence to Dean Sutin's wife and their two children.

The New York Times

When Shaw died in 1950, President Truman issued a statement of condolence, and the lights of Broadway were dimmed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

A team of American and Afghan investigators from Kandahar arrived in the village today to begin to sort out a tragedy that prompted the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, to criticize his American allies sharply, and caused President Bush's spokesman to issue an unusual statement of condolences over the loss of life.

The New York Times

After the Tucson shooting, Palin offered a pro-forma statement of "condolences," that even conservative thought leader David Frum agreed was anemic at best.

Huffington Post

News of Mr Irwin's death shocked ordinary Australians, while government and opposition politicians issued statements of condolence within two hours of the first reports of his death.

The Guardian

When an Iraqi employee of the Embassy was killed on January 11th, and one from U.S.A.I.D. on February 14th, statements of condolence were sent out by Ambassador Khalilzad and the chief administrator of U.S.A.I.D. — gestures that few could remember happening before.

The New Yorker

Statements of condolence were also read from President Obama and Michelle Obama, and from Nancy Reagan, who said that she sometimes liked to sing along with Mr. Hamlisch when he would perform for her and President Reagan.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the audience and context when issuing a "statement of condolence". Consider their cultural background and relationship to the deceased to ensure the message is respectful and appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal or stilted language in a "statement of condolence". While maintaining respect, aim for a tone that is warm and genuine, reflecting sincere sympathy rather than detached formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "statement of condolence" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of verbs like 'issue', 'release', or 'offer'. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in expressing sympathy or sorrow.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "statement of condolence" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to formally express sympathy. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used in contexts such as news reports and official announcements. The analysis shows it functions as a noun phrase and is most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While sincere, its tone is neutral, so ensure personalization to enhance the message's impact. Related phrases such as "message of sympathy" or "expression of sorrow" can be viable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

message of sympathy

Focuses on expressing feelings of understanding and care.

expression of sorrow

Emphasizes the feeling of sadness and regret.

words of comfort

Highlights the intent to provide solace and support.

letter of condolence

Specifies the format of the message as a letter.

note of sympathy

Suggests a brief and personal expression of support.

formal expression of sympathy

Highlights a more official or structured communication of support.

message of support

Shifts focus to offering assistance and encouragement during a difficult time.

deepest sympathies

A concise expression of profound sorrow.

heartfelt condolences

Conveys sincere and genuine sympathy.

offering condolences

Describes the act of expressing sympathy.

FAQs

How to use "statement of condolence" in a sentence?

You can use "statement of condolence" to describe a formal expression of sympathy, as in "The president issued a "statement of condolence" to the victims' families".

What can I say instead of "statement of condolence"?

You can use alternatives like "message of sympathy", "expression of sorrow", or "words of comfort" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "statement of condolence" or "statement of condolences"?

"Statement of condolence" is generally used to refer to a single, formal expression of sympathy. While "condolences" is the plural form, it usually appears as "offer condolences" or "express condolences".

What's the difference between "statement of condolence" and "letter of condolence"?

A "letter of condolence" is a specific type of written message expressing sympathy, while a "statement of condolence" can be a broader term that encompasses any formal expression of sympathy, whether written or spoken.