are confronted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are confronted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where individuals or groups face challenges, difficulties, or issues that require attention or action. Example: "In today's rapidly changing world, many businesses are confronted with the challenge of adapting to new technologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We are confronted by three, unnamed characters.

The Guardian

We are confronted here with time passing.

The New York Times

"We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now".

The New Yorker

"Here they are confronted with their biggest fears," she said.

The New York Times

But eventually they are confronted by zero-sum calculations.

The Economist

But they are confronted with all sorts of obstacles.

The Economist

"We are confronted primarily with a moral issue.

The New York Times

Both parties are confronted with deep questions about their identities.

The Economist

And so we are confronted by a paradox.

The Guardian

We are confronted by challenges of immense proportions.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We are not bound by situations we are confronted with.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are confronted" to convey the idea of facing challenges or difficult situations directly. Ensure the subject of the sentence is clearly defined, specifying who or what is facing the confrontation. For example: "Businesses are confronted with rapidly changing market conditions."

Common error

Avoid using "are confronted" when an active voice construction would be more direct and engaging. Instead of "Problems are confronted by the team", consider "The team confronts problems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are confronted" functions as a passive voice construction, where the subject receives the action of being confronted. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes a state of facing challenges or difficulties. For example, "We are confronted by three unnamed characters."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are confronted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that effectively conveys the act of facing challenges or difficult situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across varied contexts, including scientific, news, and formal business settings. To ensure clarity in your writing, use this phrase when you aim to emphasize the challenge rather than the actor performing the confrontation. While versatile, be mindful of contexts where an active voice might lend a more direct and engaging tone to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are faced with

Emphasizes the direct experience of encountering something challenging; slightly more direct.

encounter

A simpler, more direct verb that implies meeting something, often unexpectedly.

are presented with

Focuses on the act of something being given or shown, often implying a choice or opportunity.

are challenged by

Highlights the difficulty or test posed by something.

come up against

Implies a more adversarial or resistant encounter.

are up against

Similar to "come up against", suggesting a direct confrontation with an obstacle.

grapple with

Indicates a struggle or effort to deal with something.

contend with

Suggests a competitive effort to overcome a challenge.

deal with

A general term for handling or addressing something.

manage

Implies a controlled and organized approach to handling a situation.

FAQs

How to use "are confronted" in a sentence?

The phrase "are confronted" is used to describe a situation where someone or something faces a challenge or difficulty. For example: "Students "are confronted with" many academic choices".

What can I say instead of "are confronted"?

You can use alternatives like "are faced with", "encounter", or "are challenged by" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are confronted with" or "are confronting"?

"Are confronted with" indicates a passive state of facing something, while "are confronting" suggests an active role in addressing or challenging something. The choice depends on whether the subject is receiving or initiating the action.

What's the difference between "are confronted with" and "are dealing with"?

"Are confronted with" often implies a more immediate or unexpected encounter with a challenge, whereas "are dealing with" suggests an ongoing process of managing a situation.