Part 7. Expressing sympathy and consolation You may express sympathy and consolation in various ways with different degree of formality. Examples: Neutral

• 1

  1. I’m very worried about my sister. She was taken ill yesterday and rushed into hospital – something to do with her heart.

  2. Really? I’m sorry to hear that. But try not to worry. I’m sure everything will be all right.

  (Oh, dear) I am sorry to (hear that)

• (Oh, dear) I am (most) awfully /

dreadfully, etc.) sorry …

• That’s / what (terribly / extremely, etc.) bad luck.

• How upsetting / annoying!

• You must be very upset / annoyed, etc. (about)

• Take it easy. Things will come right in the end.

Informal

• O

  2

  1. Robert has broken his right leg.

  2. B. Poor chap! Why should he always be so unfortunate?

  1. Why, indeed, for it wasn't his fault at all. A cyclist appeared from nowhere and in trying to avoid him Robert ran into a lamppost.

  h, that’s awful. (I’m ever so sorry).

• (Oh,) how / that’s dreadful / rotten / awful / ghastly, etc.

• Oh, no! I’m ever so sorry!

• Oh, dear

• Poor old you.

• (Oh,) What hard luck.

• D

  3

  1. I’m deeply sorry about your mother. Have they operated on her?

  2. Yes, they have and she’s feeling better now.

  1. Don’t let it upset you too much. These things do happen to old people. She’ll be all right soon.

  2. I hope so.

  on’t let it worry you.

Formal

• I’m extremely sorry to hear that.

• I am / was deeply sorry to hear / to learn, etc. (about...)

• What a terrible situation for you. I do sympathise, (I assure you) ...

• I / we all sympathise with your loss.

• Don’t let it upset / distress you.

Exercise 7. Work in pairs or small groups. Express sympathy or consolation at the following.

1. Jannet, my younger sister, is seriously ill. 2. Mr. Hunt has died in an air crash. 3. Nicholas was injured in the accident. It was weeks before he got up again. 4. I have an awful headache that I can’t get rid of. 5. Our poor old dog was run over last month. 6. They say Helen was taken to hospital this afternoon for an emergency removal of her appendix. 7. My Granny has got a terrible backache. She can hardly walk sometimes. 8. Mrs. Flint, our neighbour, died the other night. She had an inoperable cancer. There was no hope at all. 9. Dick is no better at all. His fever is worse and he is out of his senses most of the time. 10. I caught an awful cold last week. 11. Violet slipped in the street and fell down, breaking her arm. 12. Chris has bronchitis.

Exercise 2. Practise with a partner. Suggest situations in which the following remarks may be used.

1. Never mind, I’m sure you’ll feel better after a few days’ holiday. 2. Please, accept my deepest sympathies. 3. Poor old Tom! I do feel sorry for him. 4. Cheer up! I’m sure you did everything you could. 5. It might have been worse. 6. That’s too bad! You’ll soon get over it. It’s not the end of the world. 8. Take it easy. I’m sure he didn’t do it on purpose. 9. How terrible! 10. Better luck next time.

Exercise 3. Read how these people discuss sad occasions. Note the remarks they use to express sympathy and consolation.