face a raft of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face a raft of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to a large number of difficult challenges or problems. For example, "The small business owner is facing a raft of problems due to the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But entrepreneurs, big and small, face a raft of challenges.

The Guardian

Dell could potentially face a raft of new complaints from some of its biggest customers.

The New York Times - Tech

Apart from the appeals process, Microsoft could face a raft of suits from the private sector.

The New York Times

That process could take months and would likely face a raft of legal challenges from both sides.

The New York Times

Families on low incomes already face a raft of reductions and freezes to their benefits announced in the 2011 budget.

The Guardian - Money

If our ancestors channeled their collective death instinct into religious myth, we now face a raft of scientific data that suggest the end might be truly nigh.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He faces a raft of serious felony charges and, if convicted, faces decades in prison.

The Washington Post

But as they dig into the details, they realize they are facing a raft of problems.

The New York Times

The bank is also facing a raft of investigations into its mortgage practices.

The New York Times

Those who were switched to the new network early on faced a raft of problems.

The New York Times - Tech

But it also means facing a raft of decisions -- and expenses -- that earlier classes did not have to face.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "face a raft of" to emphasize the numerous and often overwhelming nature of the challenges someone is dealing with. It is particularly effective in formal and journalistic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "face a raft of" in very informal settings. Simpler phrases like "deal with many problems" might be more appropriate in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face a raft of" functions as a verb phrase, where "face" is the main verb and "a raft of" modifies it to indicate the numerous challenges or problems being encountered. This expression is widely documented in Ludwig's examples, demonstrating its common use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Formal & Business

21%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "face a raft of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe encountering numerous challenges or problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often employed in news, business, and formal contexts to emphasize the scale and intensity of difficulties. While it's suitable for formal writing, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in casual settings. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and effectiveness in conveying complex situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confront a raft of

Substitutes "face" with "confront", highlighting a more direct and active engagement with the challenges.

encounter a raft of

Replaces "face" with "encounter", suggesting a less intentional meeting of the challenges.

face a multitude of

Replaces "raft" with "multitude", indicating a large number but with a slightly different nuance.

face a multiplicity of

Replaces "raft" with "multiplicity", emphasizing the diverse nature of the challenges.

face a host of

Uses "host" instead of "raft", indicating a large number of items.

face a deluge of

Uses "deluge" instead of "raft", suggesting an overwhelming quantity of challenges.

face a series of

Uses "series" to indicate that the challenges occur in a sequence.

face numerous

Replaces "a raft of" with "numerous", simplifying the expression while retaining the meaning of many challenges.

deal with many

Simplifies to a more general term to manage many problems

grapple with various

Indicates struggles with different problems using stronger verbs

FAQs

How can I use "face a raft of" in a sentence?

You can use "face a raft of" to indicate that someone is dealing with numerous challenges or problems. For example, "The company is facing a raft of new regulations".

What is a synonym for "face a raft of"?

Synonyms for "face a raft of" include "face a multitude of", "confront a raft of", or "encounter a raft of".

Is it better to use "face a raft of" or "face many"?

"Face a raft of" is more emphatic and suggests a greater number or complexity of issues than simply "face many". The choice depends on the desired impact and context.

What's the register of "face a raft of"?

"Face a raft of" is suitable for neutral to formal registers, commonly appearing in news, business, and academic contexts. It might sound too formal for very casual conversations.