a sea of faces

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sea of faces" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large crowd of people, often emphasizing the overwhelming number of individuals present. Example: "As I entered the stadium, I was struck by the sight of a sea of faces, all eagerly awaiting the concert to begin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A Wolfli drawing in the library depicts a sea of faces, all of whom avert their eyes from the viewer.

The New York Times

Mine was one of the many identities Mom had begun to lose in a sea of faces, past and present.

The New York Times

Detecting the angry man in a sea of faces, the authors say, has a survival advantage for both sexes.

The New York Times - Health

Standing on steps above the crowd Monday night, she had a huge smile on her face as she looked out on a sea of faces.

The Guardian - Opinion

Charlie grabs his Kodak Retinette and takes pictures of a sea of faces, all young, expectant as the music rolls along.

The Guardian - Books

In one photo during a 1920 campaign stop at Columbia University, Roosevelt is surrounded by a sea of faces, who take as much joy in his presence as he does in theirs.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

As I sat at a table people watching, I remembered Irene Arguelles' interview when she said she was a "brown face in a sea of white faces" as she recounted her experience going to college in Colorado.

Huffington Post

I look around me out into a sea of sad faces and in the very back of the battalion formation I see that one of the female soldiers attached to our unit is crying.

The New Yorker

The list was also, predictably, a sea of white faces.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A sea of foreign faces staring back at me".

The New York Times - Arts

They stared out at a sea of black faces, many of whom were now Union soldiers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sea of faces" to vividly depict large gatherings where individual faces are difficult to distinguish, emphasizing the overwhelming number of people present.

Common error

While effective, the phrase can become a cliché if overused. Consider alternatives like "a large crowd" or "a multitude of people" if the vivid imagery isn't essential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sea of faces" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or verb. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing a visual scene or experience. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sea of faces" is a grammatically sound and evocative noun phrase used to depict a large crowd, emphasizing the multitude of people and their relative anonymity. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While its primary context is News & Media, it can be used in various writing styles to vividly describe a gathering. Consider alternatives like "an ocean of faces" or "a multitude of people" to avoid overusing the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An ocean of faces

Uses a stronger metaphor for a very large crowd, similar to "a sea of faces".

A sea of people

Similar imagery, but more generic, without highlighting faces as much.

A multitude of people

Emphasizes the numerous quantity of individuals without necessarily focusing on their faces.

A vast crowd

Highlights the large size and expanse of the gathering.

A mass of faces

Focuses on the collective, undifferentiated aspect of the crowd.

A throng of people

Suggests a densely packed and moving crowd.

A multitude of visages

A more formal and literary way to describe a large group of faces.

Wall-to-wall people

Indicates the entire space is occupied by a crowd of people.

A sea of countenances

Uses a more archaic term for faces, creating a more formal tone.

Packed to the rafters

An idiomatic expression describing a place completely full of people.

FAQs

What does "a sea of faces" mean?

The phrase "a sea of faces" is a metaphor used to describe a large crowd of people, where the faces are so numerous they resemble a vast expanse like a sea.

How can I use "a sea of faces" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a crowd, such as: "The speaker looked out at "a sea of faces", all eager to hear the announcement."

What are some alternatives to "a sea of faces"?

Alternatives include "a multitude of people", "a vast crowd", or "an ocean of faces".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a sea of faces"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the overwhelming size and anonymity of a crowd, creating a vivid image of numerous faces blending together.