as they confront

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they confront" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how individuals or groups deal with challenges or difficulties. Example: "As they confront the challenges of climate change, communities are finding innovative solutions to adapt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Candidates are becoming shriller and less bland as they confront increasing apathy among the voters.

The Economist

Organizations need to learn more than ever as they confront these mounting forces.

Harvard Business Review

How do we look after our elderly parents as they confront imminent death?

The Guardian - Film

These students are self-aware and articulate as they confront their typical problems.

The New York Times - Arts

Other states may follow suit as they confront daunting fiscal challenges.

The New York Times - Arts

These people will brief the cabinet officials as they confront harrowing domestic and foreign policy challenges.

The New York Times

"As soon as they confront me, I'll say it was a burglar".

The Guardian

As they confront tough fiscal times, camp and Greenbelt officials do have one ace in the hole.

The New York Times

We identify features that might be of value to other health systems as they confront the challenges of rapid innovation and rising costs.

The Lancet

Today, as they confront new competition on the Web, television networks are increasingly embracing portable — and inexpensive — methods of production.

The New York Times

For some people, such reduced assets seem to sting even more as they confront the deepening housing slump.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they confront" to clearly convey the simultaneous action of individuals or groups facing a challenge or difficult situation. This phrasing effectively connects the subjects with the issues they are addressing.

Common error

While "as they confront" is grammatically sound, be mindful of the formality of 'confront'. In less formal writing, consider alternatives like "as they face" or "as they deal with" to maintain a consistent tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they confront" functions as a conjunction phrase that introduces a clause indicating the circumstances or conditions under which an action is taking place. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in connecting a subject's actions with the challenges they encounter.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

28%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as they confront" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunction phrase that effectively links subjects with the challenges they are addressing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. Predominantly found in neutral to formal registers, especially within News & Media, Academia and Science, this phrase serves to describe a situation where individuals or groups are actively engaging with difficulties. While alternatives like "as they face" or "as they tackle" exist, "as they confront" carries a slightly more formal tone. Writers should remain conscious of the context and desired level of formality when choosing the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they face

Direct synonym, replacing 'confront' with 'face' maintains the meaning with a slightly less formal tone.

as they address

Replaces 'confront' with 'address', suggesting a more deliberate and direct approach to handling a situation.

as they tackle

Using 'tackle' instead of 'confront' implies a more energetic and problem-solving focused approach.

as they grapple with

'Grapple with' suggests a more intense and potentially prolonged struggle.

as they deal with

A more general alternative, indicating the act of managing or handling a situation.

when they encounter

Focuses on the moment of meeting or coming across something challenging.

in the face of

Indicates defiance and resolution to continue despite obstacles.

as they navigate

Implies careful maneuvering and strategic planning when dealing with something complex.

as they manage

Suggests handling or controlling a situation, often implying a need for skill or effort.

when they are faced with

Similar to 'as they face', but with a passive voice construction, emphasizing the situation more than the actors.

FAQs

How can I use "as they confront" in a sentence?

The phrase "as they confront" is used to describe actions taken when facing challenges. For example, "As they confront the challenges of climate change, communities are finding innovative solutions."

What can I say instead of "as they confront"?

You can use alternatives like "as they face", "as they tackle", or "as they address" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "as they confront" and "as they face"?

While similar, "as they confront" can suggest a more direct or forceful approach to a challenge, whereas "as they face" is a more general term for encountering a challenge.

Which is more formal, "as they confront" or "as they deal with"?

"As they confront" tends to be more formal than "as they deal with". The latter is suitable for more casual or conversational contexts.