face showed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face showed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone's facial expression or reaction to something. Here is an example: As soon as she heard the news, her face showed a mixture of surprise and excitement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And his face showed it.

Independent

Her face showed no understanding.

The New Yorker

The nurse's face showed surprise.

The New Yorker

His face showed a trace of a beard and mustache.

The New York Times - Sports

But his face showed no sign of delirium.

The Guardian - Books

The dour look on his face showed otherwise.

The New York Times

Tom Watson's face showed he knew exactly what was coming.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jacob's face showed equal parts exhaustion, humiliation and fury.

The New York Times - Magazine

His face showed distaste; his tone was professional but dismissive.

The New York Times

Ms. Fleming's face showed a wrenching mix of desire and frustration.

The New York Times - Arts

Rush remained on the floor, smiling; Douglas-Roberts's face showed astonishment.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "face showed" to clearly and directly describe a visible emotional reaction or state reflected on someone's face. Ensure the context makes it clear what emotion or state is being displayed.

Common error

Avoid using "face showed" when the facial expression is nuanced or ambiguous. This phrase is best used when the emotion or state is clearly and unmistakably visible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face showed" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a person's facial expression revealed a particular emotion, reaction, or state of mind. It connects the internal state with its external manifestation. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across different registers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "face showed" is a versatile and frequently used expression that describes the clear manifestation of an emotion or state of mind on a person's face. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its primary function is to convey information about a person's internal state through their facial expression, making it a valuable tool for descriptive writing across various contexts. While most common in news and media, it also appears in scientific and informal writings. Related alternatives include "expression revealed" and "countenance displayed", each offering subtle nuances in formality and emphasis. When using "face showed", ensure the emotion is clearly visible and unmistakable to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expression revealed

Focuses on the act of revealing an emotion through facial expression, differing in verb choice.

their expression indicated

Shifts focus to the expression as an indicator of an internal state, using a different verb.

his face reflected

Indicates that the face mirrors an internal state or emotion, differing in metaphorical expression.

one could see it in their face

Emphasizes the ease with which the emotion could be observed on the person's face, using a more descriptive structure.

emotion was written on their face

Emphasizes the visibility and clarity of the emotion displayed on the face, using a figurative expression.

face gave away

Highlights the involuntary nature of expressing emotions through facial expressions.

countenance displayed

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe the showing of emotion through the face.

their face denoted

Conveys that the face served as a clear sign or symbol of an emotion or state.

her face manifested

Uses a more formal term to indicate that an emotion became apparent on the face.

features betrayed

Implies an involuntary revealing of inner feelings through facial features.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "face showed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "countenance displayed" or "expression revealed", which use more elevated vocabulary.

What does it mean when someone's "face showed" something?

It indicates that their facial expression clearly revealed a particular emotion, reaction, or state of mind. It suggests the emotion was visible and easily discernible.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "face showed"?

While grammatically correct, avoid using "face showed" if the facial expression is subtle or open to interpretation. The phrase implies a clear and unambiguous display of emotion.

What are some less direct ways to say someone's "face showed" something?

Instead of directly stating "face showed", you could use phrases like "her face reflected", "emotion was written on their face", or "their expression indicated" for a more nuanced description.