across the face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across the face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is happening to or affecting someone's face, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The sudden slap across the face left him stunned and speechless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now hand across the face.

The New Yorker

He wanted fewer wrinkles across the face.

The New Yorker

Smiley takes it across the face.

The New York Times - Books

Right across the face".

The Guardian

Or slapping them across the face.

The Guardian - Books

Crushed, Nile slapped my mother across the face.

The New York Times

That message is delivered with a slap across the face.

The New York Times - Books

and measures 14 inches in diameter across the face.

The New Yorker

The Spain international struck another across the face of goal.

Independent

One family member was slapped across the face.

The Guardian

The ball's swept across the face of the area.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "across the face" to describe actions involving movement impacting or affecting the facial area. Be mindful of the context, as it can imply physical contact, emotional expression, or spatial relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "across the face" when "on the face" or "in the face" would be more appropriate. "Across" implies movement or coverage, while "on" indicates location and "in" suggests confrontation or proximity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the face" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by describing the direction or location of an action. It can also function as a post-modifier describing the location relative to the face. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "across the face" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase that is primarily used to describe movement or impact affecting the facial area. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for English writing. Predominantly found in News & Media, its register remains neutral, making it suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "on the face" or "over the face" exist, "across the face" emphasizes a dynamic action. Writers should be mindful of directionality to avoid misinterpretations, as its meaning is dependent on depicting the direction or location of an action relative to someone's face.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the face

Indicates coverage or movement affecting the facial area; slightly broader in scope than "across".

on the face

Suggests something is located or apparent on the face; implies less dynamic movement.

to the face

Implies directionality towards the face; emphasizes movement or application.

in the face

Suggests confrontation or direct proximity to the face; often implies negativity.

striking the face

Specifically indicates a forceful impact on the face; more explicit and violent.

slapping the face

Describes a specific action of hitting the face with an open hand.

upon the face

A more formal way of saying "on the face", suggesting visibility or appearance.

covering the face

Implies obscuring or shielding the face, rather than movement across it.

along the face

Suggests movement parallel to the surface of the face, rather than directly across.

before the face

Indicates positioning or occurrence in front of the face; less direct.

FAQs

How can I use "across the face" in a sentence?

You can use "across the face" to describe an action, such as "He wiped the sweat "across the face"" or to describe a feeling such as "A smile spread "across the face"".

What are some alternatives to "across the face"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "over the face", "on the face", or "to the face".

When is it appropriate to use "across the face" instead of "on the face"?

"Across the face" is best used when describing movement or coverage affecting the facial area, whereas "on the face" simply indicates location. For example, "He felt the wind "across the face"" implies movement, while "There's a scar on the face" indicates location.

Is "across the face" a formal or informal expression?

"Across the face" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the specific situation. It is commonly found in news articles, literature, and everyday conversation.