sympathy for

USAGE SUMMARY

"sympathy for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing your understanding and compassion for someone else's circumstances. For example, "I have deep sympathy for those affected by the recent natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have sympathy for them".

The New York Times - Books

Sympathy for the Red Devils.

The New York Times

Sympathy for suburbanites?

The New York Times

Sympathy for Thatcher?

The Guardian

Sympathy for the Devil.

The Guardian - Music

I really have sympathy for them.

Independent

I feel great sympathy for politicians".

Independent

We feel no such sympathy for Rotpeter.

The New Yorker

Sympathy for the underdog meant sympathy for the downtrodden.

The New York Times

Do you have any sympathy for her?

Independent

Good luck gaining sympathy for that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sympathy for" when you want to express understanding and compassion towards someone's difficult situation. Ensure the context makes it clear that you are acknowledging their suffering or hardship.

Common error

Avoid using "sympathy for" when you actually mean empathy. Sympathy is feeling for someone, while empathy is feeling with someone. Understanding the difference helps convey the correct emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sympathy for" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a feeling of understanding and sorrow for someone else's misfortune or suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used. It is frequently found in various contexts to express compassion or concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sympathy for" is a prepositional phrase used to express understanding and compassion toward someone's misfortune. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and common in written English. It is most frequently used in news and media contexts, as well as in academic and formal settings. While "sympathy for" is generally appropriate, it's important to differentiate it from empathy and to ensure that its usage reflects genuine concern. Alternatives include "compassion toward" and "empathy toward", each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empathy toward

Highlights the ability to share and understand another's feelings.

compassion toward

Emphasizes a deeper emotional understanding and caring.

understanding of

Focuses on intellectual comprehension of someone's situation.

concern for

Indicates a sense of worry or care about someone's well-being.

commiseration with

Implies sharing someone's suffering or hardship.

consideration for

Focuses on thoughtfulness and respect for someone's feelings or needs.

pity for

Suggests a feeling of sorrow or sadness for someone's misfortune, can sometimes imply condescension.

tenderness toward

Conveys gentle care and affection for someone.

support for

Indicates providing assistance or encouragement to someone facing difficulties.

benevolence toward

Highlights goodwill and kindness directed towards someone.

FAQs

How can I use "sympathy for" in a sentence?

You can use "sympathy for" to express your understanding and compassion towards someone's situation. For example, "I have great "sympathy for" those who lost their homes in the fire."

What's the difference between "sympathy for" and "empathy for"?

"Sympathy for" means you feel sorry for someone's situation, while "empathy for" means you understand and share their feelings.

Which is more appropriate, "sympathy for" or "compassion for"?

Both "sympathy for" and "compassion for" are appropriate, but "compassion for" often implies a stronger desire to help or alleviate someone's suffering.

Are there situations where expressing "sympathy for" might be inappropriate?

Expressing "sympathy for" can be inappropriate if it comes across as condescending or insincere. It's important to be genuine and respectful in your expression.