sympathetic idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sympathetic idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a concept or notion that evokes compassion or understanding towards a particular situation or individual. Example: "Her sympathetic idea about the challenges faced by the community resonated with many during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is of course a potent Hollywood poignancy in the lead who evolves into a supporting player, and Sylvester Stallone's latest Rocky performance was a popular choice as best supporting actor, playing the ageing Rocky coaching the son of his former rival: it was a humane and sympathetic idea for a sequel.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Members of the leftwing group Plan C deploy the slogan "Luxury for all" in their agitations, and a sharply-designed Tumblr, Luxury Communism, trumpets sympathetic ideas.

The Guardian

Already sympathetic toward ideas of Greek independence, he afterward obtained permission to form two Greek regiments in English pay in order to give the Greeks military training, but the regiments were later disbanded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

William Scheuerman has argued recently (2011, 67 97), however, that so-called "classical" realists of the mid-twentieth century were more sympathetic to ideas of global institutional reform than contemporary realists.

SEP

Young people were also thought to be more sympathetic to the idea of Scottish independence.

Independent

In terms of tax reform, people remain sympathetic to the idea of a flat tax despite their general sympathy for progressivity and the idea that government should actively narrow the distribution of income.

The New York Times

Future employers also tend to be sympathetic to the idea that the job wasn't what you thought it was.

The Guardian - Money

But some bankers were more sympathetic to the idea.

The New York Times

Historically, Americans have been sympathetic to the idea.

The New York Times

But I'm personally sympathetic to the idea".

Independent

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta was said by some officials to be sympathetic to the idea.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sympathetic idea" to convey understanding and compassion towards a specific concept or proposal. It suggests more than just agreement; it implies a deeper emotional connection.

Common error

While "sympathetic idea" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone appear overly emotional. Opt for alternatives like "agreeable proposal" or "well-received concept" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sympathetic idea" functions as an adjective-noun combination. "Sympathetic" modifies the noun "idea", indicating a favorable or understanding attitude towards it. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sympathetic idea" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey understanding and support for a concept or proposal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It's more than just agreement; it suggests an emotional connection. While the phrase is not very frequent, it finds its place in contexts like News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science. When using it, remember that overuse in formal contexts can dilute its impact; consider alternatives like "agreeable proposal" for maintaining a professional tone. The phrase functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "sympathetic" modifies "idea" to indicate a favorable attitude.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compassionate perspective

Replaces "sympathetic" with "compassionate", emphasizing the feeling of empathy.

understanding viewpoint

Substitutes "sympathetic" with "understanding", focusing on comprehension.

empathetic concept

Uses "empathetic" instead of "sympathetic", highlighting the ability to share feelings.

agreeable notion

Shifts the focus to agreement rather than sympathy.

favorable opinion

Replaces "idea" with "opinion", indicating a positive view.

supportive stance

Emphasizes the act of supporting a particular idea.

positive outlook

Focuses on the optimistic nature of the idea.

kindred thought

Highlights the shared nature of the idea.

harmonious concept

Indicates that the idea is in agreement or harmony with other ideas.

well-received proposal

Focuses on how the idea is received by others.

FAQs

How can I use "sympathetic idea" in a sentence?

You might say, "The committee was receptive to her "sympathetic idea" for addressing the community's needs" to show they understood and cared about the proposal.

What's the difference between "sympathetic idea" and "agreeable idea"?

"Sympathetic idea" implies an emotional understanding and support, whereas "agreeable idea" simply means there is agreement or approval.

Which phrases are semantically similar to "sympathetic idea"?

Similar phrases include "compassionate perspective", "understanding viewpoint", or "empathetic concept", all suggesting a degree of understanding and support.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "sympathetic idea"?

Use "sympathetic idea" when you want to convey not just agreement but also an emotional understanding and support for a particular concept or proposal.