sympathetic of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sympathetic of" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "sympathetic to," which is used to indicate understanding or compassion towards someone or something. Example: "She was sympathetic to his struggles and offered her support during difficult times."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

I found him the most sympathetic of the Malakovs.

The New Yorker

Harrington was not so sympathetic of his partner's plight.

The New York Times - Sports

Less juicy is Jennifer Garner's role as the more sympathetic of Woodroof's doctors.

The Guardian - Film

The last of these, horrifically, is the most sympathetic of the characters.

The Guardian - Books

Rachael Stirling is surprised that Arabella is seen as the less sympathetic of the Younts.

Independent

The writer is not overly sympathetic of the phobias of others.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Here she exudes a sympathetic, matter-of-fact naturalness.

The New York Times

Our goal was to study the development of pioneer sympathetic innervation of dental pulp of mouse mandibular first molar.

Archives of Oral Biology

Given this sort of sympathetic formulation of the conservative position, critics can still find ample grounds for disagreement.

The New York Times

Some authors [15] reported a possible impairment of sympathetic control of cerebral blood flow in migraine patients.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Myocardial 123-I MIBG washout rate reflects the degree of sympathetic activation of the heart [ 36].

Heart Failure Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the preposition "to" instead of "of" after "sympathetic". The correct phrase is "sympathetic to".

Common error

Avoid using "of" after "sympathetic". The correct preposition is "to". Saying "sympathetic of" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sympathetic of" is an incorrect prepositional phrase intended to modify a noun or pronoun, describing someone who feels or expresses sympathy. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form is "sympathetic to".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sympathetic of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "sympathetic to". While the phrase appears in various sources, including news and media, its incorrectness detracts from its usability. Ludwig AI emphasizes the importance of using the correct preposition to ensure clear and accurate communication. Use alternatives like "compassionate towards" or "understanding of" to convey the intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sympathetic to

Uses the correct preposition "to" indicating empathy or understanding.

sympathetic towards

Replaces the preposition "of" with "towards" for grammatical correctness.

having sympathy for

Rephrases to use a verb phrase, emphasizing the act of feeling sympathy.

empathetic to

Highlights the ability to share and understand the feelings of another.

compassionate toward

Replaces "sympathetic" with "compassionate", emphasizing a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for someone.

sensitive to

Highlights an awareness and responsiveness to the emotions or needs of others.

showing compassion for

Replaces "sympathetic" with "showing compassion", highlighting the act of demonstrating empathy.

understanding of

Focuses on comprehension and awareness of someone's situation, rather than just feeling sympathy.

considerate of

Emphasizes thoughtfulness and concern for others' feelings.

caring about

Uses a more direct and informal expression to show concern.

FAQs

What is the correct preposition to use with "sympathetic"?

The correct preposition to use with "sympathetic" is "to". The phrase should be "sympathetic to", not "sympathetic of".

What does it mean to be "sympathetic to" someone?

To be "sympathetic to" someone means to understand and share their feelings, especially when they are experiencing difficulties or pain.

Are there alternatives to saying "sympathetic to"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "compassionate towards", "empathetic to", or "understanding of" depending on the context.

Is "sympathetic of" ever correct?

No, "sympathetic of" is not considered correct in standard English. The correct form is always "sympathetic to".