sympathise with

USAGE SUMMARY

'sympathise with' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say "I sympathise with your loss and am sorry for your sorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I sympathise with her.

The Guardian

I entirely sympathise with them".

Independent

The reader will occasionally sympathise with Mansour.

The Economist

Health officials would sympathise with SEPA.

The Economist

They may sympathise with al-Qaeda.

The Economist

But they sympathise with their goal.

The Economist

So I sympathise with him.

The Guardian - Tech

There's nobody to sympathise with.

The Guardian - Books

I sympathise with Brand's dilemma.

The Guardian

I sympathise with them, too.

The Guardian

You should sympathise with her.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sympathise with" to convey understanding and compassion towards someone's situation. Be specific about what you sympathise with to provide clarity and demonstrate genuine empathy.

Common error

Avoid using "sympathise with" when you mean to express active support. "Sympathising" implies understanding and feeling for someone, while "supporting" means actively helping or advocating for them. For example, instead of saying "I sympathise with the cause", say "I support the cause" if you are actively involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sympathise with" functions as a phrasal verb. It expresses the act of understanding and sharing the feelings of another, particularly feelings of sorrow, pity, or compassion. Ludwig indicates that this usage is both correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sympathise with" is a phrasal verb used to express understanding and compassion towards someone's situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's a versatile phrase, remember to consider the context and avoid confusing it with "support." Alternatives like "feel for" or "understand" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Understanding these subtleties ensures effective and empathetic communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empathize with

Replaces "sympathise" with its synonym, focusing on sharing and understanding feelings.

feel for

Offers a simpler, more colloquial way to express sympathy.

understand

Highlights cognitive comprehension and acknowledgement of someone's situation.

relate to

Indicates a personal connection or shared experience with the subject's feelings or situation.

have compassion for

Emphasizes the feeling of pity and concern for someone's suffering.

be understanding of

Focuses on being tolerant and accepting of someone's circumstances or behavior.

share someone's sorrow

Highlights the emotional connection and shared experience of grief or sadness.

be in agreement with

Shifts the focus to agreeing with someone's viewpoint or opinion.

appreciate the difficulty

Acknowledges the challenges someone faces without necessarily feeling emotional sympathy.

acknowledge the validity of

Focuses on accepting that something is true or justified.

FAQs

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

You can use "sympathise with" to express understanding and compassion for someone's feelings or situation. For example, "I "sympathise with" your loss and offer my condolences."

What's the difference between "sympathise with" and "empathise with"?

"Sympathise with" means to feel pity or sorrow for someone, while "empathise with" means to understand and share the feelings of another person. Empathy involves a deeper level of understanding and connection.

What can I say instead of "I sympathise with"?

You can use alternatives like "I "feel for" you", "I "understand" your situation", or "I "relate to" what you're going through depending on the context."

Is it always appropriate to say "I sympathise with"?

While generally acceptable, consider your relationship with the person and the context. Sometimes, offering practical help or simply listening can be more supportive than expressing sympathy alone. In highly formal settings, "I "understand your position"" may be more suitable.