As part of learning English, it’s crucial to understand how to offer condolences appropriately. When a close friend, family member, or colleague is grieving, expressing condolences is a way to show support and compassion.
In this lesson, we’ll guide you through various ways of offering condolences in English, providing you with useful phrases and tips to express yourself with sensitivity and empathy.
Expressing sympathy
When you want to convey sympathy and support to someone in mourning, here are some useful phrases:
“I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
“My deepest condolences during this difficult time.”
“I want to extend my sincere condolences to you.”
“My thoughts are with you and your family in these sad moments.“
Using past tense
In English, it’s common to use the past tense when talking about a death. Here are some examples of phrases using this verb form:
“I heard the sad news and wanted to offer my condolences.”
“We were saddened to learn about the passing of your [relationship with the deceased].”
“He/She left us too soon, but memories of them will forever remain in our hearts.”
Polite formulas
When expressing condolences, it’s important to use appropriate polite formulas. Here are some examples of commonly used phrases:
“Please accept my sincerest condolences.”
“Allow me to extend my deepest sympathies to you.”
“I offer my most sincere sympathy.“
Offering condolences in English is an important gesture to support someone in grief. By using the phrases and tips mentioned in this article, you’ll be able to express sympathy and support appropriately and respectfully, enhancing your learning of the English language. Remember to be sincere, empathetic, and present to support those going through challenging times.
