face the death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face the death" is not correct in standard English; it should be "face death." You can use it when discussing confronting mortality or dealing with the concept of dying.
Example: "In the face of death, many people find a new perspective on life."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some face the death penalty.

Stanford University

She might even face the death penalty.

The Guardian

He could face the death penalty.

The New York Times

Five of them face the death penalty.

The Washington Post

Both face the death penalty if convicted.

The New York Times

Carruth could face the death penalty.

The New York Times - Sports

He could now face the death penalty.

The New York Times

If convicted they face the death penalty.

The Guardian

All four of the men could face the death penalty.

The New York Times

Repeat offenders can even face the death penalty.

The Economist

They could face the death penalty if convicted of murder.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing mortality, use the more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase "face death" instead of "face the death".

Common error

Avoid using the article "the" before "death" in this context. Omitting "the" creates a more direct and grammatically sound statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face the death", while frequently used, is grammatically incorrect according to Ludwig AI. Its intended function is to describe the act of confronting or dealing with mortality or the prospect of dying.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "face the death" is frequently encountered, it's considered grammatically incorrect, as noted by Ludwig. The correct form is "face death". This phrase generally appears in news and media contexts to convey confronting mortality, particularly in discussions of legal penalties or dire circumstances. Though common, using the grammatically correct "face death" is advisable. Alternative phrases, such as "confront death" or "face mortality", can also be used to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Confront death

A more direct and grammatically sound way of expressing the act of dealing with mortality.

Face mortality

Emphasizes the condition of being mortal and confronting that reality.

Be confronted with death

Highlights the act of being forced to acknowledge impending death.

Meet one's end

A more euphemistic way to refer to dying or death.

Stare down death

Suggests a brave or defiant attitude when facing death.

Come to the end of life

Focuses on the termination of existence, a more general phrasing.

Be sentenced to die

Focuses on the legal judgment leading to execution.

Be on death row

Specifically refers to being sentenced to death as punishment.

Risk death

Involves undertaking actions that could lead to one's demise.

Defy death

To resist or survive circumstances that would normally cause death.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "face the death"?

No, the grammatically correct and preferred phrase is "face death". The inclusion of "the" is unnecessary and considered incorrect in standard English.

What does "face death" mean?

"Face death" means to confront the reality or prospect of dying. It often implies courage or acceptance in the presence of mortality.

Are there other ways to say "face the death"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "confront death", "face mortality", or "meet one's end", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does the meaning change if I say "face death" instead of "face the death"?

Using "face death" is more direct and grammatically correct. "Face the death" is less common and not considered standard English, although its intended meaning is generally understood.