are confronting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are confronting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals or groups are facing or dealing with a challenge or issue. Example: "The community are confronting significant challenges related to climate change and its impact on local resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now we are confronting ourselves".

The New York Times

They are confronting questions they never imagined.

The New York Times

Other dioceses are confronting similar questions.

The New York Times

Already the same barriers are confronting me.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are confronting an historic economic crisis.

The Guardian

Sweden and other countries are confronting the prospect of deflation.

The New Yorker

"The heroic youths of Hama are confronting them".

The New York Times

We are confronting head-on the things we got wrong".

Independent

Airports and hotels are confronting a similar situation.

The New York Times

They are confronting children and killing them with live ammunition.

The New York Times

"While we are confronting [Isis], and we are confronting terrorism and we are confronting Ebola, this also has an immediacy that people have come to understand," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the tone you wish to convey. While generally appropriate, "are confronting" can sometimes sound more formal than alternatives like "are dealing with".

Common error

Avoid using "are confronting" in overly passive constructions that weaken the impact of your writing. Ensure the subject of the sentence is clearly and actively engaging with the challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are confronting" functions as a present continuous verb phrase. It indicates an ongoing action of facing or dealing with something, typically a challenge or problem. This is supported by Ludwig, which finds numerous examples in news and media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are confronting" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that effectively conveys the idea of actively facing challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it enjoys widespread use in reputable news sources, scientific publications, and formal business communications. While generally suitable for neutral to professional registers, it's crucial to consider the specific context and audience to ensure the most appropriate tone. Remember to avoid overuse in passive constructions and be mindful of the subtle differences between "are confronting" and alternatives like "are facing" or "are dealing with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are facing

Direct synonym, focuses on the act of facing a challenge.

are dealing with

Emphasizes the process of managing a situation or problem.

are grappling with

Suggests a struggle or difficulty in handling something.

are tackling

Implies a more proactive approach to solving a problem.

are addressing

Focuses on the act of formally dealing with an issue.

are encountering

Highlights the act of coming across or experiencing something.

are combating

Specifically relates to fighting or opposing something.

are struggling with

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved.

are handling

Focuses on managing or controlling a situation.

are contending with

Suggests competition or opposition in dealing with something.

FAQs

How can I use "are confronting" in a sentence?

You can use "are confronting" to describe individuals, groups, or organizations facing a challenge or problem. For example, "Scientists "are confronting a major challenge" in understanding climate change".

What are some alternatives to "are confronting"?

Some alternatives include "are facing", "are dealing with", or "are addressing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "are confronting" formal or informal?

"Are confronting" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for both news reporting and academic writing. However, for very informal contexts, phrases like "are tackling" or "are handling" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "are confronting" and "are facing"?

While similar, "are confronting" often implies a more direct and proactive engagement with a challenge, while "are facing" can simply mean being presented with it. Therefore "are confronting" can sometimes involve some degree of opposition, "are facing" instead, just implies that someone is in presence of something.