sympathetic look

USAGE SUMMARY

"sympathetic look" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing sympathy or understanding towards someone or something. For example: She gave the homeless man a sympathetic look.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It gives her a mature, sympathetic look that's fitting for the nurse she plays.

The New Yorker

"Nessy was like, 'Oh, honey.' " He imitated Ms. Traina giving him a concerned, sympathetic look.

The New York Times

After González finished a lovely, quiet rendition, Pavarotti gave him a sympathetic look.

The New Yorker

The waitress gave Suchen a sympathetic look, but did not make any comment.

The New Yorker

His girlfriend gave him a sympathetic look and said: "Yes, they are.

The Times

It's sort of a sympathetic look at — that's the name of this — of these expiring dudes there.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Some gave him sympathetic looks.

The New York Times

My friends gave me curious, sympathetic looks.

The New York Times

People on the train started smiling and giving me sympathetic looks.

The New York Times

When she tells people where she went, she told me, she gets sympathetic looks.

The New Yorker

You should know this". A humiliating dressing down in front of a sympathetic looking nurse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sympathetic look" to convey genuine empathy and understanding, rather than superficial pity. This helps build rapport and trust with the person you're interacting with.

Common error

Avoid conveying a "sympathetic look" if you don't genuinely understand or agree with the other person's perspective, as it can come across as insincere or condescending. Instead, focus on active listening and acknowledging their feelings without necessarily endorsing them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sympathetic look" functions as a descriptive element, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing a person's facial expression, indicating empathy or understanding. It provides insight into non-verbal communication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sympathetic look" is a common and grammatically sound way to express empathy and understanding through facial expression. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and informal settings. When using this phrase, aim for genuine empathy rather than superficial pity to build strong interpersonal connections. Remember that while a "sympathetic look" can be powerful, it shouldn't be used insincerely or to imply agreement when it doesn't exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compassionate gaze

Replaces "sympathetic" with "compassionate" and "look" with "gaze", focusing on visual expression of compassion.

understanding glance

Substitutes "sympathetic" with "understanding" and "look" with "glance", emphasizing comprehension.

empathetic expression

Replaces the entire phrase with a noun phrase that captures the essence of showing empathy.

supportive gaze

Changes "sympathetic" to "supportive", highlighting the act of offering support through a look.

pitying stare

Alters "sympathetic" to "pitying" and "look" to "stare", implying a look tinged with pity.

consoling glance

Uses "consoling" instead of "sympathetic" and "glance" instead of "look", suggesting a look that offers comfort.

kindred expression

Replaces "sympathetic look" with a broader expression suggesting a shared feeling or understanding.

commiserating look

Substitutes "sympathetic" with "commiserating", focusing on sharing in someone else's sorrow.

caring glance

Replaces "sympathetic" with "caring", highlighting the element of care and concern in the look.

gentle regard

Changes both words to convey a soft and tender expression of sympathy.

FAQs

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

You can use "sympathetic look" to describe someone's facial expression when they are showing understanding or compassion. For example, "She gave him a "sympathetic look" after he explained his troubles."

What are some alternatives to "sympathetic look"?

Alternatives include "compassionate gaze", "understanding glance", or "empathetic expression", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does a "sympathetic look" typically convey?

A "sympathetic look" typically conveys understanding, compassion, and a shared feeling of sadness or concern for someone else's situation. It indicates that you acknowledge and care about their feelings.

Is it appropriate to give someone a "sympathetic look" in all situations?

While generally appropriate in situations where someone is expressing distress or sadness, giving a "sympathetic look" might be misconstrued if the situation calls for a more neutral or professional response. Context is key in determining its appropriateness.