directly facing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "directly facing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is positioned in a way that it is looking straight at or confronting another object or person. Example: "The building is directly facing the park, providing a beautiful view for its residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Directly facing me was the only person who stood out.

The New Yorker

He stood directly facing me and with a slow, lowering gesture of both hands indicated "sit".

The New York Times - Arts

That guest's two other dining companions were directly facing the oncoming beet.

The New York Times

The penis 'erected,' directly facing the headquarters of the FSB, the KGB's successor.

Independent

The gallery should be blanked off with obscured glass screens, or similar, on the sides directly facing the Neo building.

The Guardian - Arts

Relax with wine and cheese upstairs at Sheridans Cheesemongers in Church Yard Street, directly facing St Nicholas's.

The Guardian - Travel

Employees drive to spaces directly facing the pods, where their offices are 10 feet away, across glass-enclosed pedestrian bridges.

The New York Times

This is a rare tale of Obama both directly facing down an opponent and losing his cool.

The Guardian

The city budget tackles the hard issues directly, facing a $5 billion gap by cutting most services.

The New York Times

The apartments sit directly facing Harrods department store in one of the capital's most expensive retail areas.

Independent

The flowers were oriented to point either horizontally, at a 45 degree downward angle or directly facing the floor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directly facing" to clearly indicate the spatial relationship between two objects or entities, ensuring there is no ambiguity about their relative positions. For example, "The house is directly facing the ocean."

Common error

While "directly facing" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in very formal or academic writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "opposite", "confronting", or "aligned with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly facing" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the direction or orientation of an object or entity in relation to another. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "directly facing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that serves to describe spatial orientation. Ludwig confirms that. It indicates that something is positioned in a way that it is looking straight at or confronting another object or person. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in "News & Media" and scientific contexts, and it maintains a neutral register. Consider alternatives such as "directly opposite" or "in front of" depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

directly opposite

Emphasizes the position being exactly across from something.

directly in front of

Highlights the position being immediately ahead of something.

facing squarely

Implies a direct and unwavering orientation.

immediately confronting

Stresses the aspect of facing something head-on.

positioned opposite

Focuses on the placement of one thing in relation to another.

aligned with

Suggests a specific arrangement or orientation.

looking straight at

Emphasizes the act of visually confronting something.

fronting onto

Commonly used in architectural or geographical contexts.

vis-à-vis

A more formal expression indicating face-to-face positioning.

head-on with

Implies a direct and possibly confrontational positioning.

FAQs

How can I use "directly facing" in a sentence?

You can use "directly facing" to describe something positioned opposite to something else. For example, "The monument is "directly facing" the city hall."

What are some alternatives to "directly facing"?

Some alternatives include "directly opposite", "in direct view of", or "confronting directly", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "directly facing towards"?

While not strictly incorrect, "directly facing" already implies direction. Using "directly facing towards" can be redundant. It's generally better to simply use "directly facing".

What's the difference between "directly facing" and "opposite"?

"Directly facing" emphasizes a head-on orientation, while "opposite" simply means across from. "Directly facing" often implies a more intentional or aligned positioning than just "opposite".