be confronted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be confronted with" is correct and is used frequently in written English.
It means to have something challenging, or difficult, presented or put in front of someone that must be dealt with. For example, "When the student was confronted with a difficult math problem, she was determined to find the answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"This is the worst pain a human being can be confronted with," Mr Diniz says.

BBC

But you will not be confronted with goat's blood here.

The New York Times - Food

JEFFREY TOOBIN: Kagan will certainly be confronted with those comments.

The New Yorker

Now firms will once again be confronted with this choice.

The Economist

It's demoralizing to be confronted with such criticism and aggressions.

The New Yorker

She hates to be confronted with how she has become, as she calls it, "stupid".

The New York Times

They may never be confronted with opinions that are not their own".

The Guardian

We sometimes go to the movies to be confronted with painful facts of life.

The New York Times

"We would be confronted with enormous problems if things got worse".

The New York Times

But Belgium could be confronted with another problem in terms of small arms.

The New York Times

"We are going to be confronted with this situation more and more often," Mr. Reithofer said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be confronted with" when you want to emphasize that someone is facing something challenging or difficult that requires attention and action. It is often used when the encounter is unexpected or unwelcome.

Common error

While "be confronted with" is a passive construction, overuse can weaken your writing. Ensure the subject is clear and that the passive voice is used intentionally for emphasis, not to obscure responsibility or agency. Consider if an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful in your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be confronted with" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being faced with something, often a challenge or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and commonly used construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be confronted with" is a commonly used passive verb phrase that accurately describes encountering a challenge or difficulty. It’s grammatically correct and versatile, suitable for various formal and neutral contexts as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While "be confronted with" is very frequent in "News & Media" and "Science", writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active alternatives when appropriate. By understanding the nuances of this phrase and its alternatives, you can ensure your writing is both precise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be faced with

Focuses on the act of encountering something directly, without necessarily implying a challenge.

be presented with

Emphasizes the act of something being given or shown, often requiring a response.

encounter

A more concise way of saying 'to meet or come across', suitable for various contexts.

face

Implies a direct and often intentional dealing with a situation.

meet with

Indicates an experience, often of something difficult or unexpected.

run into

Suggests a casual or accidental encounter, which may or may not be challenging.

contend with

Highlights the effort and struggle involved in dealing with something.

grapple with

Implies a more intense struggle and effort to understand or overcome something.

tackle

Suggests a proactive and decisive approach to dealing with a challenge.

be up against

Emphasizes the adversarial nature of the encounter, suggesting opposition or difficulty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be confronted with" to sound more active?

Instead of saying "be confronted with", you can use more active alternatives like "face", "encounter", or "deal with" to create a more direct and engaging tone.

Is "be confronted with" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "be confronted with" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing challenges or problems. However, consider context and whether a more active verb would provide greater impact.

What's the difference between "be confronted with" and "be faced with"?

While similar, "be confronted with" often implies a more immediate or unexpected challenge, whereas "be faced with" can suggest a more gradual or anticipated situation.

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

Use "be confronted with" when describing a situation where someone encounters something challenging or problematic. For example: "The company may "be confronted with" legal challenges."