even in the face of

USAGE SUMMARY

'even in the face of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express that something has an influence on somebody despite the difficulties or obstacles they are facing. Example: Even in the face of financial difficulties, she never lost her determination to pursue her dreams.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These beliefs persisted, even in the face of contrary evidence.

The Economist

Even in the face of repeated mass killings".

The New Yorker

resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat.

The Guardian

There was overdue progress, even in the face of resistance.

The Washington Post

And even in the face of aggressive questioning, never — never!

The Washington Post

I am loyal even in the face of your violence".

The New Yorker

Enthusiasm generally prevailed, even in the face of humidity.

The New York Times

I never went negative," he explains, even in the face of criticism from his opponents.

University of Pennsylvania

Even in the face of adult interference, they have continued to find joy in play.

University of California, Berkeley

This "piggybacking" may continue for years even in the face of major corporate changes.

Columbia University

It's really about keeping options on the table even in the face of uncertainty.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even in the face of" to emphasize resilience or persistence when confronting significant challenges. It adds weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "even in the face of" in casual conversations. Opt for simpler phrases like "despite" or "even though" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even in the face of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating the circumstances under which an action occurs or a state exists. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, emphasizing resilience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "even in the face of" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize persistence or resilience despite difficulties. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, academia, and science. It is best used in neutral to formal settings to highlight a situation's challenging circumstances. While simpler alternatives like "despite" exist, "even in the face of" adds a layer of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite adversity

Focuses on the presence of hardship without necessarily highlighting a direct confrontation.

notwithstanding difficulties

Emphasizes a lack of prevention or obstruction by the difficulties.

in spite of challenges

Highlights the presence of challenges that do not impede progress.

regardless of the obstacles

Stresses that obstacles are not a factor in influencing the outcome.

even withstanding the problems

More emphatic expression of perseverance. Uses "withstanding" instead of "face".

confronting the issues head-on

Focuses on a direct and active engagement with the issues.

in defiance of opposition

Conveys a sense of active resistance against opposing forces.

under pressure

Implies that something is happening despite the strain or stress.

against the odds

Emphasizes the improbability of success, contrasting with "even in the face of".

though facing problems

Simple variation denoting existence of problems while doing something. "Though" instead of "even in the face of".

FAQs

How to use "even in the face of" in a sentence?

Use "even in the face of" to show something is happening despite difficulties. For example, "Even in the face of adversity, she remained optimistic."

What can I say instead of "even in the face of"?

Alternatives include "despite", "in spite of", or "notwithstanding", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "even in the face of" or "despite"?

Both are correct, but "even in the face of" is more emphatic and formal. "Despite" is simpler and more commonly used in everyday language.

What's the difference between "even in the face of" and "although"?

"Even in the face of" emphasizes confrontation with a challenge, while "although" simply introduces a contrast or exception.