sympathetic to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sympathetic to" is correct and usable in written English.
You use it to show that you understand and feel compassion for someone's struggles or difficulty. For example: "As a parent, I can definitely relate to your frustrations and I'm sympathetic to your situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm sympathetic to that.

The New York Times

And more sympathetic to them.

The New York Times

Some observers were sympathetic to his complaints.

The Economist

Unsurprisingly, I'm more sympathetic to O'Neill.

The New York Times

Her boss was sympathetic to her ambitions.

The New Yorker

"A man most sympathetic to your situation".

The New Yorker

Still, he was sympathetic to the protesters.

The New York Times - Travel

The jurors were sympathetic to that argument.

The New York Times

But I remain sympathetic to Times editors.

The New York Times

Kaplan was sympathetic to this position.

The New Yorker

They are sympathetic to Germany's predicament.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sympathetic to" when you want to convey understanding and compassion toward a person's feelings or situation. For example, "I am sympathetic to their concerns about the new policy."

Common error

While "sympathetic to" implies understanding and compassion, it doesn't necessarily mean agreement. Be sure to use "agreeable to" or a similar phrase if you want to express approval or concurrence, rather than just understanding. For example, instead of saying "I am sympathetic to your proposal" when you actually agree with it, state "I am agreeable to your proposal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sympathetic to" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. It typically expresses understanding, compassion, or agreement with someone's situation or feelings, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sympathetic to" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey understanding and compassion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in news and media contexts, signifying its broad applicability. While alternatives such as "understanding of" or "empathetic towards" exist, "sympathetic to" distinctly emphasizes a sense of shared feeling or concern. Remember to use it accurately, distinguishing it from mere agreement, and consider the context to ensure the most appropriate expression of your sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Empathetic towards

Highlights the ability to share someone else's feelings.

Sensitive to

Emphasizes awareness and understanding of subtle cues or feelings.

Compassionate toward

Emphasizes a feeling of pity and concern.

Considerate of

Focuses on thoughtfulness and awareness of someone's situation.

Understanding of

Focuses more on comprehension than emotional alignment.

Supportive of

Indicates active backing or encouragement.

Receptive to

Suggests openness to ideas or suggestions.

Well-disposed toward

Suggests a favorable attitude.

Kindly inclined toward

Implies a gentle and benevolent disposition.

Agreeable to

Highlights a willingness to accept or approve.

FAQs

How do I use "sympathetic to" in a sentence?

Use "sympathetic to" to express understanding and compassion towards someone's situation or feelings. For example: "I am "sympathetic to" the challenges you are facing."

What are some alternatives to saying "sympathetic to"?

You can use alternatives like "understanding of", "compassionate toward", or "empathetic towards" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sympathetic with" instead of "sympathetic to"?

While "sympathetic with" is sometimes used, "sympathetic to" is the more common and generally preferred construction, particularly in formal writing. "Sympathetic with" often implies sharing the same feelings, whereas "sympathetic to" suggests understanding and compassion.

What's the difference between being "sympathetic to" and "empathetic towards" someone?

Being "sympathetic to" someone means you understand and feel sorry for their situation. Being "empathetic towards" someone means you can actually share and understand their feelings as if they were your own. Empathy involves a deeper level of emotional connection.