confronted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confronted by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is faced with a challenge, problem, or difficult circumstance. Example: "She felt overwhelmed when confronted by the unexpected challenges at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We are confronted by three, unnamed characters.

The Guardian

Confronted by an unknowable, historians demand evidence, witnesses, corroboration.

The New York Times - Books

But eventually they are confronted by zero-sum calculations.

The Economist

Serbia and Kosovo find themselves confronted by the prisoner's dilemma.

The New York Times

Confronted by Channel 4, he denied having witnessed the incident.

The Economist

Little wonder golf is suddenly confronted by an identity crisis.

Independent

I felt age four, being confronted by my older sister.

Independent

The new pope was confronted by a difficult situation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Allen was immediately confronted by another surprise.

The New Yorker

My community is confronted by a crisis in family life.

The Guardian

"We were confronted by remaining groups of terrorists," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confronted by", ensure the subject is clearly defined and the object of confrontation is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The city was confronted by a severe economic crisis."

Common error

Avoid using "confronted by" when an active voice would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The problem was confronted by the team", consider "The team confronted the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confronted by" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that a subject is facing or encountering something, often a challenge or difficulty. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across various domains, indicating a situation of being presented with something significant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "confronted by" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase, indicating that a subject is facing a challenge or obstacle. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is correct, and it is suitable for various contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific publications. While alternatives like "faced with" or "challenged by" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When writing, ensure the subject and object of the confrontation are clear and consider whether an active voice might be more impactful. Ludwig's numerous examples highlight the phrase's widespread use and adaptability, making it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced with

Indicates a direct encounter with a situation, often emphasizing the challenge it presents.

encountered by

Implies a chance or unexpected meeting with something.

challenged by

Emphasizes the demanding nature of what is encountered, suggesting a test of one's abilities.

in the face of

Highlights resilience when facing adversity or difficult circumstances.

met with

Suggests a more passive encounter, often used for reactions or responses.

opposed by

Highlights resistance or conflict in the encounter.

contended with

Implies a sustained effort to overcome difficulties faced.

grappled with

Suggests a struggle or intense effort to understand or resolve something.

dealt with

Focuses on the action of handling or managing something.

up against

Informal way to describe facing an obstacle or opponent.

FAQs

How can I use "confronted by" in a sentence?

"Confronted by" is typically used to describe someone or something facing a challenge, obstacle, or opponent. For example: "The company was "confronted by" a sudden drop in sales."

What are some alternatives to "confronted by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "faced with", "challenged by", or "met with".

Is it better to use "confronted by" or "faced by"?

Both "confronted by" and "faced by" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "confronted" suggests a more direct and potentially adversarial encounter.

What's the difference between "confronted by" and "challenged by"?

"Confronted by" generally indicates a direct encounter with something, while "challenged by" emphasizes the difficulty or demanding nature of the situation. For instance, you might be "confronted by" a problem and "challenged by" finding a solution.