I found two British say they have never heard this said: "I sympathize for you" Is it never used in British English? Is it Americanism?
2006-12-19 16:27:21 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I haven't heard this in American English either. I would say, "I sympathize WITH you."
2006-12-19 16:32:13 · answer #1 · answered by Presagio 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Wow I never heard this never not in this fashion so no it's not used only I am sure by ones you know and it is used as a term not a certain geographic language and believe me English is English and just the British use words more often or seldom than an American would!
2006-12-19 16:38:25 · answer #2 · answered by wise 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In no form of English do you 'sympathiz/s/e for' anyone!
You 'sympathis/z/e with' someone - or 'show sympathy for' them!
"With" is an active word - you participate in the feeling/action. "I will run WITH you in the NYC Marathon" is NOT the same as, "I will run FOR you in the NYC Marathon"!! The last statement would probably get us both in trouble when it turns out "I" am the Olympic Gold Medallist in the Marathon and have taken your place!!
Think of it that way.
The main point of difference, technically, is that 'sympathise' is a verb; 'sympathy' a noun. But sympathise is an outwards reaching verb. You do the 'action' with the other person, not towards them or in place of them.
It isn't complicated. You can 'mourn with' a person - which means you are standing by them, upset and mourning for the same reason, too. You can 'mourn for' a person - which means you're upset/mourning that they're mourning, not that you're upset over what they are mourning, necessarily.
"I sympathise/z/e for you" means that 'I' am replacing you in doing the act of sympathy! It may be an Americanism - but it "ain't English"!
2006-12-19 17:05:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not British - but we do tend to use standard English as opposed to American English. I have never heard of sympathising FOR someone - you sympathise with them. Also, American English has replaced 's' with 'z' - i.e sympathize instead of sympathise, realize instead of realise. All forms of English (American, Australian, New Zealand whatever) will all develop a bastardised version of English through regional slang and national vernacular.
2006-12-19 16:34:54 · answer #4 · answered by Kble 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It isn't correct English, British or American. The correct usage is, "I sympathize WITH you." Brits spell it 'sympathise,' of course. With the preposition "for," you could say, "I have sympathy for you."
2006-12-19 16:37:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hmmm...we say "I sympathize with you", so yeah, probably an Americanism.
2006-12-19 16:30:24 · answer #6 · answered by BellyRubz 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
....is Broken English. Brokenism.
2006-12-19 19:44:15 · answer #7 · answered by tomQ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
possibly
2006-12-19 16:43:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep, it's american english .
2006-12-19 16:31:55 · answer #9 · answered by riddlemethis 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋