a tender face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tender face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone with a gentle or soft expression, often conveying warmth or kindness. Example: "She looked at him with a tender face, her eyes filled with compassion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Savoie, 45, is short and compact, with a tender face and soulful eyes.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Olden days, those good old days when your junk was on fire; when you craved your partner's body and company, when you needed this person, always, at all times; when you couldn't spend a day alone, without that tender face, that soft just-right touch you would have said, "We should go there".

Vice

Olden days, those good old days – when your junk was on fire, when you craved their body and their company, when you needed them, always, at all times; when you couldn't spend a day without them, without that tender face, that soft just-right touch – you would have said, "We should go there".

Vice

The album traffics in glossy, expensive electronic textures shaped into traditional pop songs a gleaming chrome machine wearing a tender human face.

Vice

But Stephen Medcalf's delicate 1940s production makes Capriccio a valediction to pre-fascist Germany, the elderly composer's sorrow, bafflement and nostalgia conveyed in the tender face of the Countess (Susan Gritton) as she takes her place on a scruffy rehearsal stage and listens to the music curling up from the orchestra pit.

Independent

Their talent is in having that tender face and the ballerina's poise that makes you forgive them almost anything.

The New Yorker

I could hold his hand, gaze into his eyes, stare unhindered at his tender face, stroke his frosty hair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In one, an etching, he's a tender, baby-faced, bowler-wearing aesthete; in the other, a woodcut, he's a hardened, narrow-eyed criminal.

The New York Times - Arts

Before Bergeron faced Seo, he sent a bouncer up the middle against Leiter in the third, high and hard, toward his still-tender face.

The New York Times - Sports

Ball may hit a tender spot, such as face.

WikiHow

Repudiating the incorporeal, distant God that helped to generate the hierarchical associations of masculinity and femininity, he favors an image of "a tender loving Father who faces and embraces the child," in the apparent expectation that a loving and embodied God may support a different kind of masculinity, one more capable of intimacy and tenderness (1994, 240).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tender face" to depict characters in literature, especially when emphasizing vulnerability, kindness, or emotional depth. It can also be used in descriptive writing to create a specific mood or atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid using "a tender face" in technical or formal writing where objective descriptions are preferred. Opt for more neutral terms to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

A tender face functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as an adjective modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to describe someone's appearance, emphasizing their gentle and kind nature. The examples highlight its role in creating a vivid image of a person's features.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tender face" is a descriptive term used to portray a gentle and kind facial appearance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki and Science sources, it evokes feelings of warmth and empathy. While versatile, avoid overuse in technical contexts. Consider alternatives like "a gentle countenance" for a more formal tone. The analysis reveals its effectiveness in descriptive writing and character portrayals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a kind-looking face

Focuses on the impression of kindness conveyed by the face.

a loving face

Emphasizes the feeling of love conveyed by the face.

a sympathetic face

Highlights the empathetic quality of the face.

a gentle countenance

Replaces "face" with "countenance" offering a more formal tone and emphasizing the overall expression.

a warm face

Replaces "tender" with "warm", highlighting the inviting nature of the face.

a soft visage

Uses "visage" instead of "face", suggesting a slightly archaic or literary style.

a sensitive face

Highlights the capacity to easily feel and display emotions of the face.

a compassionate expression

Shifts the focus from the physical face to the emotional expression displayed on it.

a delicate face

Uses "delicate" to describe a fragile or refined beauty.

an innocent face

Suggests a lack of guile or experience in the facial features.

FAQs

How can I describe "a tender face" in more detail?

You can add descriptive adjectives such as "a remarkably tender face" or "a surprisingly tender face" to add emphasis. Alternatively, you could focus on specific facial features that contribute to the overall impression, such as "a tender face with soulful eyes".

What feelings does "a tender face" typically evoke?

"A tender face" often evokes feelings of warmth, compassion, and empathy. It suggests a gentle and caring nature. Consider using "a sympathetic face" if you need to add focus to feelings of empathy.

Is "a tender face" only used to describe women?

No, "a tender face" can describe people of any gender. It focuses on the gentleness and kindness expressed in their features rather than being gender-specific. You can use alternatives like "a kind-looking face".

Are there situations where using "a tender face" would be inappropriate?

While generally appropriate, using "a tender face" might be unsuitable in contexts requiring clinical or objective descriptions. Overusing it can also lead to sentimentality. Consider using "a gentle countenance" for a more formal tone.