In the face of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In the face of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a response or reaction to a challenging situation or circumstance. Example: "In the face of adversity, she remained determined to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the face of indescribable violence, in the face of unconscionable evil".

The New York Times

"In the face of nuisance, companies settle.

TechCrunch

In the face of this commitment, accelerated adoption seems likely.

TechCrunch

In the face of rumors, just smile.

Huffington Post

In the face of national uncertainty, there is hope.

Huffington Post

In the face of tragedy, they responded with hope.

Huffington Post

In the face of advanced CKD, dose reduction is necessary.

Diabetes Care

Convey strength in the face of them.

The New Yorker

"Stay focused in the face of adversity.

The New York Times - Sports

That flies in the face of sense".

The New York Times

Laugh in the face of Smile!

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "In the face of" to emphasize resilience and determination when describing actions taken despite difficult or adverse conditions. For example, "The community united "in the face of" the devastating hurricane."

Common error

Avoid using "In the face of" interchangeably with phrases like "in light of" or "on behalf of". "In the face of" specifically denotes confronting adversity, while the others have different meanings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In the face of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the circumstances under which an action is performed or a state exists. It introduces a condition of adversity or challenge that is being confronted, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "In the face of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to emphasize actions or states that occur despite challenging or adverse circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives like "despite" or "in spite of" exist, "In the face of" specifically highlights the act of confronting difficulty with resilience and determination. Remember that "In the face of" is about confronting a challenge, not simply being aware of one as with phrases such as "in light of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Despite the presence of

Focuses on the existence of something challenging, rather than a direct confrontation.

Notwithstanding the challenge of

Emphasizes that a challenge exists, but doesn't prevent action.

Even with

Highlights that something is happening although something else might impede it

In spite of

Like 'despite', but can sometimes imply a stronger sense of defiance.

Regardless of

Indicates that something happens without being affected by something else

Confronted with

Highlights the act of directly facing a difficult situation or challenge.

Undeterred by

Shows that someone isn't stopped by a challenge or setback.

When faced with

Highlights the act of directly facing a difficult situation or challenge.

Notwithstanding

Acknowledges a particular fact, but the main action still occurs.

Against a backdrop of

Suggests that something happens while certain conditions prevail.

FAQs

How can I use "In the face of" in a sentence?

Use "In the face of" to describe actions taken despite challenging or adverse circumstances. For example, "The company continued to innovate "in the face of" economic recession."

What phrases are similar to "In the face of"?

You can use alternatives such as "despite the presence of", "in spite of", or "regardless of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "In the face of" in formal writing?

Yes, "In the face of" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. It effectively conveys the idea of confronting adversity.

What's the difference between "In the face of" and "In light of"?

"In the face of" implies confronting a challenge, while "in light of" means 'considering' or 'taking into account'. They are not interchangeable.