my condolences

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A polite and respectful thing to say to someone whose relative or friend has died, showing that you feel sorry for them.

   Grammar: Used on its own or after a verb like offer or send: please accept my condolences.

   Patterns

   • my condolences on something
   • my condolences to someone

   Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father.

   I just heard the news, and my condolences to you and your family.

   She shook his hand and murmured, "My condolences."

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformalhumorous

   A sympathetic comment, sometimes used lightly or with irony, about a minor misfortune.

   Grammar: Informal and often playful; it can sound sarcastic if the problem is trivial.

   Your team lost again? My condolences.

   You have to work all weekend? My condolences.

Common combinations

offer my condolences

I wanted to offer my condolences in person.

send my condolences

We sent our condolences with a bouquet of white lilies.

accept my condolences

Please accept my condolences for your sad loss.

my deepest condolences

My deepest condolences go out to the whole team.

my condolences on your loss

My condolences on your loss; he was a kind man.

Synonyms and how they differ

my sympathies

My sympathies is a little softer and can be used for illness or trouble as well as death.

I'm sorry for your loss

I'm sorry for your loss is the most common spoken form and sounds warmer and less formal.

my heart goes out to you

My heart goes out to you is more personal and emotional than the formal my condolences.

sympathy

Sympathy is the general feeling, while condolences are the words or gestures used after a death.

Opposites

Word family

condolence noun

an expression of sympathy, usually plural

condole verb

to express sympathy with someone in grief

condolence card noun

a card sent to someone who is grieving

Commonly confused: my condolences or congratulations?

Practice

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