to console someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to console someone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of providing comfort or support to someone who is experiencing sadness or distress. Example: "After hearing the news of her loss, I went to console her and offer my support during this difficult time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

THERE are many ways to console someone when a multimillion-dollar business deal falls through.

The New York Times

'Financial services are pretty broken, especially for the consumer,' says Hussey-Yeo, 'you've got banks pushing overdrafts and credit cards onto their customers whilst giving them little or no help.' Assurances from multi-national institutions that they are using AI to improve themselves is therefore unlikely to console someone struggling to make ends meet.

Forbes

When we deal with hardship, it can feel good to console someone else for a change.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Rather than waiting for someone to console you, go and console someone else and make it better for them.

WikiHow

from calamity, to get someone out of prison, to console, to speak on someone's behalf, to further someone's career, to teach and educate someone, to instruct or advise someone.

SEP

You can console someone".

Vice

Expect to be visited by the temptation to console yourself by making someone else feel even smaller than you.

Vice

I remembered how every single time someone tried to console me about my abusive situation, I turned them away.

Huffington Post

France's wait for another home men's champion goes on but if Stan Wawrinka can summon up one more victory, then at least the fans at Roland Garros will be able to console themselves that the winner is someone who speaks their language.

The Guardian - Sport

"We only want one thing: when we meet someone who has been through all this, we want to console one another".

The New Yorker

"I'll figure it out," she said, her voice soothing, as if she were consoling someone else.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to console someone", consider the specific emotion you want to address. "Console" is most appropriate when addressing grief, sadness, or disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "to console someone" when the situation requires more than just comforting words. Sometimes, action or practical help is more effective than verbal consolation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to console someone" functions as an infinitive phrase, often acting as a verb phrase expressing the action of providing comfort or solace. Ludwig AI confirms this, as it is used in various contexts to describe actions taken to comfort others.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to console someone" is a grammatically correct and usable infinitive phrase in English, as validated by Ludwig. It conveys the act of providing comfort or support to someone experiencing distress. While Ludwig identifies its usage as uncommon, it is versatile enough for various contexts, ranging from news reports to personal conversations. Consider synonyms like ""to comfort someone"" or "to soothe someone" for similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with offering genuine emotional support rather than just empty words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To comfort someone

Replaces "console" with "comfort", a direct synonym.

To bring comfort to someone

Emphasizes the act of delivering comfort.

To soothe someone

Replaces "console" with "soothe", implying a calming effect.

To offer solace to someone

Uses "offer solace" instead of "console", adding a formal tone.

To alleviate someone's distress

Replaces "console" with "alleviate distress", focusing on reducing anxiety and suffering.

To provide support to someone

Focuses on the supportive aspect of consoling.

To give reassurance to someone

Focuses on restoring confidence and dispelling doubt.

To ease someone's pain

Highlights the alleviation of suffering.

To cheer someone up

Implies lifting someone's spirits from sadness.

To hearten someone

Uses "hearten" as a more literary substitute for "console".

FAQs

What does "to console someone" mean?

The phrase "to console someone" means to offer comfort or sympathy to someone who is sad, disappointed, or grieving. It involves providing emotional support to alleviate their distress.

How can I use "to console someone" in a sentence?

You can use it in sentences like: "I tried to console her after she failed the exam", or "It's important to know how "to comfort someone" in times of grief and loss".

Are there any synonyms for "to console someone"?

Yes, there are several synonyms, including ""to comfort someone"", "to soothe someone", "to offer solace to someone", and "to provide support to someone".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to console someone"?

It's appropriate to use "to console someone" when someone is experiencing emotional pain, such as sadness, grief, disappointment, or anxiety, and you want to provide them with comfort and support.