face the likelihood of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face the likelihood of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility or probability of a certain event or outcome occurring. Example: "The company may face the likelihood of layoffs if the financial situation does not improve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

If they do not, he said in an interview, they face the likelihood of surrendering their independence.

The New York Times

All face the likelihood of lengthy prison sentences after unanimous verdicts on separate weapons charges related to the incident.

The Guardian

If it is correct, we face the likelihood of increasing Palestinian violence and Israeli response, with potential unpleasant consequences throughout the Middle East.

The New York Times

He said: "Global demand will remain constrained as long as we face the likelihood of anaemic growth in various western nations.

The Guardian - Business

As an example, she said the United States Marshals Service would face the likelihood of furloughs, but she added: "They will continue prisoner transfers and protect the courts.

The New York Times

Now, on the eve of Game 2, they face the likelihood of not having Rondo and possibly Allen as they try to even the series.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

And the speaker still faces the likelihood of further complications ahead.

The New York Times

Mr. Chavez also faces the likelihood of domestic opposition led by the ousted leaders of the labor group.

The New York Times

"The Swinger" is overgenerous enough to leave Tree happily roasting marshmallows, facing the likelihood of a brighter future.

The New York Times - Books

The company, which is based in Coudersport, Pa., will be reorganizing under a fractured board and faces the likelihood of lawsuits from shareholders and bondholders.

The New York Times

The ratings have been so far below original estimates that NBC faces the likelihood of having to reimburse sponsors with free advertising.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "face the likelihood of", ensure the context clearly indicates the potential negative consequences or challenges associated with the situation.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject is unclear or hidden. Instead of "The project faces the likelihood of delays", consider "The team anticipates potential delays in the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face the likelihood of" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a subject is in a situation where a particular outcome, usually negative, is probable. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "face the likelihood of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the probability of a particular outcome, often negative. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English. While it is appropriate for various contexts, it appears most frequently in news, scientific, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding potential negative consequences. Alternatives such as "confront the probability of" or "encounter the prospect of" can add variety to your writing. Be mindful of overusing passive voice to maintain a clear and direct style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confront the probability of

Replaces "likelihood" with "probability", emphasizing the chance of something happening.

encounter the prospect of

Substitutes "face" with "encounter" and "likelihood" with "prospect", highlighting a future possibility.

bear the risk of

Focuses on the potential negative consequences, replacing "likelihood" with "risk".

run the danger of

Emphasizes the peril involved, changing "face" to "run" and using "danger" instead of "likelihood".

risk the chance of

Highlights the gamble involved, swapping "face" with "risk" and using "chance" instead of "likelihood".

anticipate the threat of

Suggests expecting something negative, substituting "face" with "anticipate" and "likelihood" with "threat".

expect the possibility of

Emphasizes the anticipation of a possible event, replacing "likelihood" with "possibility".

be exposed to the potential for

Highlights vulnerability, replacing "face" with "be exposed to" and using "potential for" instead of "likelihood".

be at risk of

Shortens the phrase, focusing on the condition of being vulnerable to a negative outcome.

risk the possibility of

Highlights that there is a chance of something happening, replacing "likelihood" with "possibility".

FAQs

How can I use "face the likelihood of" in a sentence?

You can use "face the likelihood of" to indicate that something is likely to happen, often something undesirable. For example, "The company "faces the likelihood of" layoffs if profits don't improve".

What are some alternatives to "face the likelihood of"?

Some alternatives include "face the prospect of", "encounter the possibility of", or "bear the risk of". These phrases convey a similar meaning but may suit different contexts.

Is it better to say "face the likelihood of" or "face the possibility of"?

Both "face the likelihood of" and "face the possibility of" are correct. "Likelihood" suggests a higher probability than "possibility". Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of certainty you want to convey.

What is the difference between "face the likelihood of" and "confront the likelihood of"?

The phrases "face the likelihood of" and "confront the likelihood of" are very similar. "Confront" might suggest a more active or direct engagement with the potential issue than "face" does.