face squarely

USAGE SUMMARY

"face squarely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're talking about facing a situation or person with directness and courage. For example: "She faced the difficult task squarely, determined to make it work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Labour has to face squarely the challenge confronting it.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is the problem of political order that the Latin American left must face squarely.

The Guardian - Opinion

His part of the story represents difficult truths that the reform movement has yet to face squarely — and needs to.

The New York Times

Redemption, suffice it to say, rewards those who, having squandered glory to false idols, face squarely the past.

The New York Times - Arts

He said he believed that counterterrorism officers have an obligation to face squarely "where we made mistakes and let the American people down".

The New York Times

Instead of bandying about ideas of badness and madness, we need to face squarely the child-killing mother's own experience of being a child.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

That risk needs to be faced squarely at the NATO summit in Chicago in May.

The New York Times

The deficit that Gordon's magical psychosis managed to conceal from the public – that at last is faced squarely.

Independent

In these movies, death is faced squarely and head-on, and so are all its symptoms and dislocation.

The Guardian - Film

Britain had, in fact, when the matter was faced squarely, little desire to hang on, given the exorbitant financial and political costs of late imperialism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the New York Times, John Banville saw it as "profound" and "provocative" in showing the author "facing squarely the dismaying fact that against life's onslaughts nothing avails, not even art; especially not art".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While generally acceptable, "face squarely" can be replaced by synonyms like "confront directly" or "address head-on" for clarity or formality.

Common error

Avoid using "face squarely" to describe physical orientations or positions. The phrase is best suited for abstract challenges or issues, not literal directional facing. For physical orientations, use other phrases such as "facing forward".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face squarely" functions as a verb phrase, typically used with a transitive verb to describe how one approaches a challenging situation. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, highlighting the direct and courageous manner of confronting issues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "face squarely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes the act of confronting a challenge directly and courageously. As Ludwig's AI confirms, this expression is suitable for diverse contexts, spanning from news and media to formal business settings. When using "face squarely", writers should aim to convey a sense of resolve and honesty. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "confront directly" or "address head-on" to better align with the intended nuance and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confront directly

Emphasizes a direct approach, removing the nuance of courage implied by "squarely".

address head-on

Focuses on directly tackling a problem, similar to "face squarely" but with a more action-oriented feel.

deal with decisively

Highlights the resolution aspect, emphasizing a firm and conclusive approach.

meet head-on

Similar to "address head-on", emphasizing a direct encounter with a challenge.

tackle resolutely

Focuses on a determined approach to solving a problem, emphasizing commitment.

grapple directly

Emphasizes the struggle involved in dealing with a difficult situation.

take on directly

Highlights the act of accepting a challenge and confronting it without hesitation.

front up to

An informal way of saying "face up to", implying acceptance and confrontation.

look something in the eye

Idiomatic alternative implying bravery and honesty when confronting something difficult.

come to grips with

Focuses on understanding and accepting a difficult situation, which is a prerequisite to facing it.

FAQs

What does "face squarely" mean?

To "face squarely" means to confront a problem, challenge, or situation directly, honestly, and without hesitation, showing courage and determination.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "face squarely"?

It's appropriate to use "face squarely" when describing the act of addressing difficult or challenging issues with courage and honesty. It emphasizes a direct and determined approach.

What are some alternatives to "face squarely"?

You can use alternatives like "confront directly", "address head-on", or "deal with decisively" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "face squarely" formal or informal?

"Face squarely" is considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and choose synonyms if a more formal tone is needed.