be confronted by

USAGE SUMMARY

"be confronted by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are facing a difficult situation or obstacle. For example, "The new student was confronted by a frustrating language barrier in her English class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Unfortunately when you do that, you will be confronted by people who are armed and dangerous".

The New York Times

But the fraudsters will be confronted by those who recognise that science must be done honestly.

The Economist

Customers out for an evening want to relax, and not be confronted by bureaucratic rules.

The New York Times

To be confronted by something that happens to you like that is always good".

Independent

Terrorism can only be confronted by conviction in universal human values.

The Guardian - Opinion

Except that you know you won't be confronted by Danny's hideous sex face.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Whoever bats for England will be confronted by a variety of spinners.

The Guardian - Sport

"I participated just enough to not be confronted by a counselor.

The New York Times - Magazine

No doubt Hayes will be confronted by a mass of conflicting opinion.

The Guardian

Ke$ha drove to Prince's house, only to be confronted by a security gate.

The Guardian - Music

I thought we would be confronted by chewing gum on cameras every day, but no".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be confronted by" to describe situations where someone encounters something challenging or unexpected. It often implies a sense of opposition or difficulty.

Common error

While "be confronted by" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing the sentence in the active voice for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be confronted by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is on the receiving end of an action or experience. Ludwig's examples show it describing facing challenges, unexpected situations, or difficult opponents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be confronted by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. As noted by Ludwig, it is used to describe facing challenges, unexpected situations, or difficult opponents. While its register is generally neutral, its frequent appearance in news articles and other media makes it quite common. While "be confronted by" is a valid expression, it is possible to use alternatives such as "face", "encounter", or "be faced with" to provide a more direct or active tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be faced with

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the situation or problem that one must deal with.

encounter

A more direct and concise way of saying "be confronted by", implying a chance meeting or experience.

face

A simpler alternative, indicating a direct encounter with something challenging or difficult.

be up against

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation or opposition.

contend with

Suggests a struggle or effort in dealing with something.

come up against

Implies encountering an obstacle or opposition.

grapple with

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in understanding or resolving something.

deal with

A more general term for handling a situation or problem.

run into

Suggests an unexpected or unplanned encounter.

meet

A straightforward term for encountering something or someone.

FAQs

How to use "be confronted by" in a sentence?

Use "be confronted by" to indicate that someone or something is facing a particular challenge or situation. For example, "The company will "be confronted by" new regulations next year".

What can I say instead of "be confronted by"?

You can use alternatives like "face", "be faced with", or "encounter", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "be confronted by" and "face"?

"Be confronted by" often implies a more unexpected or challenging encounter, while "face" is a more general term for dealing with something. For instance, you might "be confronted by" an angry customer, but you "face" challenges in your daily work.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "be confronted by"?

While "be confronted by" is in the passive voice, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct. Instead of "The problem will "be confronted by" the team", consider "The team will confront the problem".