are faced with

USAGE SUMMARY

'are faced with' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to discuss a challenge someone is dealing with or a difficult decision they have to make. For example: "Many students are faced with the challenge of finding a job after college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We are faced with a looming disaster".

Independent

We are faced with two possibilities.

The New York Times - Arts

Almos are faced with an uncertain future.

The Guardian

Londoners are faced with a double whammy.

The Guardian

"We are faced with a Hobson's choice.

The New York Times

"Mothers are faced with impossible choices.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They are faced with a paradox.

The New York Times - Sports

"You are faced with a new reality.

The New York Times

Suddenly, they are faced with the possibility of being unwanted.

The New York Times - Sports

"Gentlemen, we are faced with a difficult paradox.

The New Yorker

We are faced with incredible hardship for years to come.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are faced with", ensure that the subject clearly identifies who or what is encountering the challenge. Clear subject-verb agreement enhances readability and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid substituting "with" with other prepositions like "by" or "to" after "are faced". The correct form is always "are faced with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are faced with" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of an action or situation. As Ludwig suggests, it's used to describe encountering challenges or difficult decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are faced with" is a versatile phrase used to describe encountering challenges or difficult situations. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its frequent usage across various reputable sources, including news, science, and formal business contexts, confirms its appropriateness in diverse settings. The phrase functions as a passive construction and is considered to be neutral in register. When using "are faced with", ensure subject-verb agreement and avoid incorrect preposition substitutions to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy. Remember the alternatives phrases such as "are confronted with" and "are dealing with" to make your writting more rich and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are confronted with

Emphasizes a direct encounter with a problem or situation, similar to facing it head-on.

are dealing with

Focuses on the process of managing or handling a situation or problem.

are grappling with

Highlights the struggle and effort involved in understanding or solving a problem.

are contending with

Stresses the aspect of competition or opposition in handling a challenge.

are challenged by

Implies that a situation presents a difficult task or test of one's abilities.

are up against

Indicates facing a formidable opponent or obstacle.

are encountering

Suggests a more passive experience of coming across a problem or situation.

are experiencing

Highlights the subjective feeling or undergoing of a particular situation.

are presented with

Focuses on the act of something being given or offered, often implying a choice or decision.

are burdened with

Emphasizes the negative weight or difficulty that a situation imposes.

FAQs

How to use "are faced with" in a sentence?

Use "are faced with" to describe a situation where someone or something must deal with a challenge or problem. For instance, "Students "are faced with" increasing tuition costs".

What can I say instead of "are faced with"?

You can use alternatives like "are confronted with", "are dealing with", or "are challenged by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are faced with" or "are facing with"?

"Are faced with" is the correct passive construction. "Are facing with" is grammatically incorrect; the correct active form is "are facing [something]".

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

"Are faced with" implies encountering a challenge or problem, while "are dealing with" suggests actively managing or handling a situation. The former is more about the encounter, the latter about the ongoing process.