Lesson 3: Sympathy
I just wanted you to know that my thoughts are with you.

I can read and understand a message of sympathy.

INTRODUCE

Reading messages of sympathy from our friends can help us feel better during difficult times.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. My thoughts are with you. is used to extend sympathy to someone who’s going through a difficult time.

    I’m sorry for being absent a lot recently. My mom has been really sick lately.

    Don’t worry about it. My thoughts are with you.

     

     

    2. You can say I can’t imagine how you feel. to someone who has experienced something terrible.

    I’m so heartbroken over my dog’s death. I loved him so much!

    I can’t imagine how you feel.

     

     

    3. When you say I’m sure someone’s heart was in the right place., you think that a person had good intentions when he/she did something, even if the action itself was not good.

    I can’t believe him! How could he tell my parents about my secret!

    It’s not easy to see, but he only did that to help you. I’m sure his heart was in the right place.

     

    II. Imagine that some people you know are going through the following situations. Use the expressions above to show sympathy.

    your friend lost his/her job

    your friend got yelled at

    by his/her teacher

    your nephew was grounded

    by his parents for playing

    too many video games

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

Important words in a sentence are often stressed to give a clear picture.
Phrase Example

I can’t imagine how you feel.
/ I CAN’T IMAGINE how you FEEL /

I’m so sorry. / I CAN’T IMAGINE how you FEEL /.

UNDERSTAND

READING

Toru is reading an email from his friend.

Hey, bro,

How are you? I heard about what happened with you and Holly. I’m so sorry to hear that you guys are thinking about divorce. I can’t imagine how you feel. It must be really hard for you. I know you’d probably rather not talk about this right now… Whatever happened between you two, though, I know that Holly still cares deeply about you. I’m sure her heart was in the right place when she told you how she felt. It might be difficult to see that right now, so maybe it’d be best if you took some time to think about whatever she said. Then, when both of you are ready, you should talk about it. See if you can still fix it. Maybe consider a separation first before deciding whether you really need a divorce. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that my thoughts are with you. If you ever need anything, you can always give me a call or send me a text. I’m here for you, okay?

Greg

TRIVIA

Do you know the difference between break-up, separation, and divorce? Break-up is commonly used when unmarried couples end their relationship. Meanwhile, divorce and separation are both for married couples only. A divorce means that a couple is no longer legally married, while a separation means the couple live separately but are still technically married.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Are the underlined expressions used correctly? Choose T for true and F for false.

1. ( T / F )

She’s been cheating on me for months now!

I’m sure her heart was in the right place.

2. ( T / F )

I don’t want to talk to anyone right now. I still can’t believe that I lost my job.

I can’t imagine how you feel. I’ll be right here when you need someone, okay?

3. ( T / F )

I just won a trip to Hawaii for two!

Really? My thoughts are with you.

4. ( T / F )

I still can’t believe that she’d give me such harsh feedback.

Maybe she was just trying to help. I’m sure her heart was in the right place.

STEP B EXERCISE

Replace the underlined parts with expressions from the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

My thoughts are with you.
I can’t imagine how you feel.
I’m sure someone’s heart was in the right place.
  1. I’m sorry I can’t attend the funeral, but I’d like to offer you my sympathy.
  2. It must’ve really hurt when your boss transferred you to another project, but I’m convinced that she only did what she thought was best for you.
  3. You’ve been through quite a lot… I can only guess how hard it was for you.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You were browsing your social media when you saw a post from Linda, one of your friends who’s a theater actress. Read the post. Then, tell another friend about it.

Today's Expressions

  • My thoughts are with you.
  • I can’t imagine how you feel.
  • I’m sure someone’s heart was in the right place.

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

SHOWING SYMPATHY
2

DIFFICULT TIMES
3

HAVING ONE’S HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE
1

SHOWING SYMPATHY

  1. In what kind of situations should you show sympathy?
  2. Do you find it easy to show sympathy?
  3. Aside from words, what do you think are good ways to show sympathy?
  4. Why do you think some people don’t like when others show them sympathy?

2DIFFICULT TIMES

  1. What helps you get through difficult times (ex. alone time, support from others)?
  2. How do you help someone who’s going through difficult times?
  3. Do you think messages of sympathy are truly helpful during difficult times?
  4. What do you think people can gain from experiencing difficult times?

3HAVING ONE’S HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE

  1. In what situations can people hurt others even if they have the right intentions?
  2. Would you easily forgive someone who did something hurtful if you knew that his/her heart was in the right place?
  3. Would you do something that might hurt someone if you felt that it was the best thing to do?
  4. What would you do if someone got mad at you even though your heart was in the right place?

FEEDBACK

I can read and understand a message of sympathy.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK