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Sesquipedalian101 Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Sympathise (with)
I found the following sentence in an article that appeared in the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/05/06/these-cops-are-tired-of-white-people-getting-freaked-out-by-their-black-neighbors/):
1. Other forum users sympathize.
I have always thought that the verb, "sympathize", should always be followed by the preposition "with". That is what most dictionaries say. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary says that the word is also a transitive verb, and therefore, it appears to be that there could be instances when the preposition is not mandatory. I cannot, however, find examples of that usage in any dictionary. I should appreciate it if someone could tell me whether
(i) the sentence in question is grammatical, and if so,
(ii) is it a recent usage?
1. Other forum users sympathize.
I have always thought that the verb, "sympathize", should always be followed by the preposition "with". That is what most dictionaries say. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary says that the word is also a transitive verb, and therefore, it appears to be that there could be instances when the preposition is not mandatory. I cannot, however, find examples of that usage in any dictionary. I should appreciate it if someone could tell me whether
(i) the sentence in question is grammatical, and if so,
(ii) is it a recent usage?
Top answer
Selvakumar (i) the sentence in question is grammatical, Yes. Selvakumar (ii) is it a recent usage? I don't think so; it's been around at least as long as I have.
- Selvakumar (i) the sentence in question is grammatical, Yes.
- Selvakumar (ii) is it a recent usage?
- I don't think so; it's been around at least as long as I have.
- 'I sympathize' is a very common expression of sympathy in conversation.
- Selvakumar the verb, "sympathize", should always be followed by the preposition "with".
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2 Answers
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Selvakumar(i) the sentence in question is grammatical,Yes.
Selvakumar(ii) is it a recent usage?I don't think so; it's been around at least as long as I have. 'I sympathize' is a very common expression of sympathy in conversation.
Selvakumarthe verb, "sympathize", should always be followed by the pre
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