cover her face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cover her face" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts where someone is physically or metaphorically obscuring their face, such as in descriptions of actions or emotions. Example: "In the photograph, she chose to cover her face with her hands, overwhelmed by the moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If you're a woman, you may want to shield your eyes: She was left breathless each time his mouth took hers and passionate kisses seemed to cover her face and bosom.

The New Yorker

By Elizabeth Minkel June 1, 2011 If you're a woman, you may want to shield your eyes: She was left breathless each time his mouth took hers and passionate kisses seemed to cover her face and bosom.

The New Yorker

"I remember Anwar saying, 'He would want your mom to cover her face.

The New York Times

Ms. Cheatham used the hood of a parka to cover her face.

The New York Times

"His wife used to cover her face, and he wore a djellaba," Hussain said.

The Guardian

"My mother didn't cover her face because when she married my father he asked her not to," Nasser said.

The New Yorker

She'd have an overwhelming urge to cover her face with her hands, to turn away from the camera, to hide.

The New Yorker

She has hair big enough to cover her face, and she proved on OCheers" that she knows how to carouse.

The New Yorker

I bought her debut novel, Cover Her Face, at Jeremy's 10p Bookshop on the Cowley Road in Oxford.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Bonanno's widow, Rosalie, walked behind the casket wearing a black lace veil to cover her face.

The New York Times

She raised a hand to cover her face when Mr. O'Connor described how the babies burned in their beds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotions like shame or sadness, consider using "cover her face" to convey a sense of vulnerability and the desire to hide from view.

Common error

While "cover her face" is a common phrase, avoid overusing it in descriptive writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "shield her face" or "hide her face" to maintain reader engagement and provide a more nuanced portrayal of the character's actions or emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cover her face" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "cover" is the main verb and "her face" is the object. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct. This phrase describes an action of concealing or obscuring someone's face.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cover her face" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe the act of concealing one's face, either physically or metaphorically to express emotions like shame or sadness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media sources, with neutral register. While it's acceptable to use in both formal and informal writing, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "hide her face" or "shield her face" for variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hide her face

This alternative uses "hide", which is a more general term for concealing something, implying a desire to avoid being seen or recognized.

conceal her face

This alternative uses "conceal", which suggests a deliberate attempt to hide the face from being seen.

veil her face

This alternative uses "veil" which specifically suggests covering the face with a piece of fabric, often for cultural or religious reasons.

obscure her face

This alternative suggests making the face unclear or difficult to see, either physically or metaphorically.

shield her face

This alternative uses "shield", suggesting an action to protect the face from something, like the sun or an impact.

screen her face

This alternative is similar to "shield", implying an action to protect the face from view or harm.

mask her face

This alternative implies the use of a mask to cover or disguise the face, often for anonymity or protection.

muffle her face

This alternative implies covering the face to reduce visibility or sound, often with a scarf or similar item.

drape her face

This alternative suggests loosely covering the face, often with fabric, implying a sense of casual concealment.

bury her face

This alternative indicates hiding the face, often in one's hands or another object, suggesting distress or embarrassment.

FAQs

How can I use "cover her face" in a sentence?

You can use "cover her face" to describe a physical action of obscuring the face, or metaphorically to express feelings of shame, sadness, or a desire to hide. For example, "She used her hands to cover her face when she heard the news", or "Ashamed, she wanted to cover her face and disappear".

What are some alternatives to "cover her face"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "veil her face", "hide her face", or "shield her face".

Is it appropriate to use "cover her face" in formal writing?

Yes, "cover her face" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing actions or situations where someone is physically or metaphorically concealing their face. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding context and tone of the writing.

What does it mean when someone "covers her face"?

When someone "covers her face", it generally means they are trying to hide their expression, identity, or protect themselves from something. It can indicate feelings like shame, sadness, embarrassment, or a desire for privacy.