Sympathy Expression
The definition of sympathy Expression:
Sympathy Expression is an expression or feeling of pity and sorrow
when we know and see someone or people are unlucky or have trouble and in
bad condition .By expressing sympathy we want to show our concern or
carefulness on other people's condition.
How can we give sympathy expression to someone?
We express it directly to him/her orally or we can use a letter or
card by post also by short message service ( sms ), e-mail, television
,radio ,and newspaper if he /she who got the trouble is far from us.
There are some expressions to show our sympathy to other people. To
express sympathy, we have three kinds of situations. They are formal,
informal and neutral. There are also some responses. Some of the examples
are shown below:
" " " " "
"NEUTRAL "INFORMAL "FORMAL "RESPONSE "
"· I'm sorry to "· That's "· I'm "· I'm "
"hear that. "awful "extremely sorry to "extremely sorry to"
"· You must be "· Oh no! "hear that. "hear that. "
"very upset. "· Oh dear. "· I was "· Thank you "
"· How terrible/"· Poor you,"deeply sorry to "· Thanks for "
"awful. "… "hear. "your sympathy "
"· What "· What a "· What a "· Thanks for "
"extremely bad "shame… "terrible situation "your kindness "
"luck. "· How poor "for you. "· Thanks for "
"· I know how it"you are.. "· I do "your attention "
"feels. " "sympathize. "· That's very "
" " "· You have "kind of you "
" " "my deepest sympathy "· That's life "
" " "· Please "· There's "
" " "accept my "nothing that can "
" " "condolences. (when "be done about it. "
" " "someone has died) "· It's God "
" " " "will, I suppose "
" " " "· God gives "
" " " "and God takes "
" " " "away. "
The use of the expression should determine the context of situation.
It will be different expression used in different context of situation.
· Thank you very much
· It's very kind of you
· I hope so
· That's a pity, isn't it?
· Thanks for your sympathy
· Thanks for your support
· I would be OK, thank you very much for your support
The example in a short dialogue:
A. Joe : Hi, Cathy! Where have you been? I haven't
seen you for a month.
Cathy : I visited my grandma. I took care of her since she got heart
attack.
Joe : Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. You must be very upset.
Cathy : I was. But she's getting better now. Thanks
B. Mary : Hello, John, What's that…? You look dejected. What's
wrong?
John : My grandma passed away in New York, Mary.
Mary : I'm terribly sorry to hear that, John. How old was she?
John : Seventy one… This December.
Mary : Then she wasn't very old. Had she been ailing for some time?
John : So she had written in her last letter. She was having a hard time
with many complications…
Mary : When is the funeral…?
John : It must have been over by now.
Mary : I know how you feel… Words can't comfort you when someone dear to
you departs
SHOWING SYMPATHY
November 12, 2009
sheiik3101 Handouts 1 Comment
To express sympathy, we have three kinds of situations. They are formal,
informal and neutral.
NEUTRAL INFORMAL FORMAL
I'm sorry to hear that.
You must be very upset.
How terrible/awful.
What extremely bad luck.
I know how it feels.
That's awful
Oh no!
Oh dear.
Poor you, …
What a shame…
I'm extremely sorry to hear that.
I was deeply sorry to hear.
What a terrible situation for you.
I do sympathize.
You have my deepest sympathy
Please accept my condolences. (when someone has died)
The responses are saying thanks: Thank you; / That's very kind of you.
The example in a short dialogue:
Joe : Hi, Cathy! Where have you been? I haven't seen you for a month.
Cathy : I visited my grandma. I took care of her since she got heart
attack.
Joe : Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. You must be very upset.
Cathy : I was. But she's getting better now. Thanks
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EXERCISE 1
Choose the correct expression for the following situation.
1) Dea : …..
Bella : I'm sorry to hear that.
(A) I will celebrate my biggest birthday party
(B) I win the competition
(C) I've lost my computer
(D) My mother is traveling to the North Pole.
(E) I have finished my project.
2) Lea : I've lost my motorcycle last night.
Chuck : ……
(A) That's great
(B) How lucky you are
(C) I am sure you did it.
(D) I'm sorry to hear that
(E) I agree with you.
3) Dyna : Where have you been? I didn't see you for a month?
Naomi : I suffered from diabetes. I've to stay for a month.
Dyna : Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Hope you'll get better soon.
The underline sentence expresses …
(A) agreement
(B) possibility
(C) certainty
(D) warning
(E) sympathy
4) Lily : Oh God… I failed to be the winner of American Idol.
Barbie : ….
(A) That's good idea
(B) What a wonderful.
(C) I'm sorry to hear that
(D) I disagree with you
(E) I can't help you
5) Joan : I have to go to the hospital now. My father is being
operated.
Pam : Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Let me know his condition soon after
you see him.
The italic sentence expresses…
(A) sympathy
(B) uncertainty
(C) possibility
(D) promise
(E) satisfaction
EXERCISE 2
Complete the dialogue below by giving the correct expression of sympathy.
Ann : Jude didn't pass the exam.
Marry : …………………………..
Harris : Do you know that Mr. Brown is hospitalized?
Bob : No, I don't. What's wrong with him?
Harris : He had an accident last night.
Bob : …………………………………
Liza : Why do you look so sad?
James : Didn't you hear the news this morning? The earthquake has
destroyed my grandpa's village in Indonesia. It has killed many people.
Liza : ………………………………………….. How about your grandpa?
James : He's Ok. I'll pick him up to stay here.
Shanty : Have you visited Robin? He got an accident last month.
Dora : ……………………………… . I hope he'll be better soon.
EXERCISE 3
Now, create a short dialogue from the following situations and practice
with your partner.
1) Your friend has just broken heart because his girlfriend left him.
2) Your mother loses her wallet of five hundred dollars inside.
3) Your friend failed to apply for a scholarship.
4) Your brother didn't win the badminton match.
