sympathetic with

USAGE SUMMARY

"sympathetic with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express understanding and/or agreement with someone else's situation or point of view. For example: "I'm sympathetic with your decision to pursue a different career path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I was sympathetic with his problem.

The New York Times - Books

I feel very sympathetic with them about that.

The Guardian

Writer wonders if viewers are sympathetic with these writers.

The New Yorker

UNFORTUNATELY, Bradford is not culturally sympathetic with her American subject.

The New York Times - Books

"I'm sympathetic with people who cover their own ass.

The New Yorker

"I was sympathetic with Morsi until they removed him.

The New Yorker

Mr. North was sympathetic with the poor waitress.

The New Yorker

Neither was particularly sympathetic with what they called "women's lib".

The New Yorker

I'm sort of sympathetic with the wrong kind.

The New Yorker

SCHUMER: Because I am totally sympathetic with what Senator Pryor said.

The Washington Post

Urbanisation could be more sympathetic, with less light pollution and increased habitat for wildlife.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sympathetic with" to show that you understand and share the feelings of someone else, especially when they are experiencing hardship or difficulty. Ensure that the context makes it clear what you are being sympathetic about.

Common error

Avoid using "sympathetic with" when you simply mean you agree with someone's opinion. Sympathy involves understanding and sharing feelings, while agreement only requires concurrence in thought. Choose alternatives like "agree with" or "support" when agreement is the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sympathetic with" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition. It modifies a subject by expressing understanding and shared feelings towards another person or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to show support or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sympathetic with" is a grammatically correct and frequently used way to express understanding and shared feelings for someone or something. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is very common across diverse contexts. Predominantly seen in news and media, academic writings, and wiki articles, it conveys a sense of shared emotion and support. To avoid misinterpretations, be sure to use it when expressing genuine understanding and shared feelings rather than simple agreement, and consider alternatives like "compassionate towards" or "empathizing with" for nuanced expressions. While the phrase is widely accepted, always ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning of shared emotion and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empathizing with

Highlights the ability to share another's feelings.

compassionate towards

Emphasizes feelings of pity and concern.

understanding of

Focuses more on comprehension than shared feeling.

considerate of

Highlights thoughtfulness and concern.

supportive of

Indicates active backing and encouragement.

kindhearted to

Emphasizes innate goodness and generosity.

agreeing with

Focuses solely on concurrence in opinion.

in agreement with

Similar to 'agreeing with' but slightly more formal.

aligned with

Suggests a shared position or goal.

well-disposed toward

Indicates a favorable attitude.

FAQs

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

You can use "sympathetic with" to express understanding and shared feelings towards someone's situation. For example, "I am "sympathetic with" your decision to change careers".

What is a good alternative to "sympathetic with"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "compassionate towards", "understanding of", or "empathizing with".

Is it grammatically correct to say "sympathetic with"?

Yes, "sympathetic with" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to express understanding or shared feelings.

What's the difference between "sympathetic with" and "empathetic with"?

While similar, "sympathetic with" often implies feeling pity or sorrow for someone, while "empathetic with" suggests a deeper understanding and sharing of their feelings as if they were your own.