face the prospect

USAGE SUMMARY

"face the prospect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express the idea of confronting or accepting a possible future event or circumstance. Example sentence: John was hesitant to face the prospect of starting a new job in a new city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Godoy boys still face the prospect of deportation.

The New Yorker

The banks now face the prospect of a deeper reduction.

The New York Times

They face the prospect of serious jail time.

The New York Times

"Instead we face the prospect of war without end.

The Guardian

Knightley pulls a face; the prospect seems to alarm her.

The Guardian - Film

Declawed cats and city dogs face the prospect of starvation.

The New York Times

Graduates will face the prospect of dealing with difficult teenagers.

The Guardian

We face the prospect of local authorities becoming financially unviable.

The Guardian

"Now we face the prospect of free-market fundamentalism".

The New York Times

Hundreds of farmers face the prospect of bankruptcy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We face the prospect of years of more waiting on this".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always consider the tone you want to convey. While "face the prospect" is generally neutral, the context often implies a degree of apprehension or anticipation of difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "face the prospect" when you intend to describe a current situation rather than a future possibility. The phrase specifically addresses potential future scenarios, not present realities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face the prospect" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of confronting or anticipating a potential future event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly introduces a noun phrase or a gerund describing the anticipated outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "face the prospect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the act of confronting or anticipating a potential future event. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s appropriate for various contexts, especially those involving news, business, and academic discussions. While neutral in tone, it often implies a degree of uncertainty or potential challenge. Alternatives like "confront the possibility" or "deal with the likelihood" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember to use "face the prospect of" correctly, followed by a noun or gerund. Being mindful of the context and potential implications will help you use this phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confront the possibility

Replaces "prospect" with "possibility", focusing on the uncertainty of the future event.

deal with the likelihood

Substitutes "face" with "deal with" and "prospect" with "likelihood", suggesting a more active approach to managing a probable event.

contemplate the eventuality

Uses "contemplate" instead of "face", implying deeper thought about a future event.

consider the outlook

Replaces "prospect" with "outlook", shifting the focus to a general view of the future.

be prepared for the event

Emphasizes readiness for a specific upcoming event, rather than a general possibility.

brace oneself for what may come

Highlights the act of preparing for potentially difficult or negative future events.

expect the potential

Focuses on anticipating what might happen, removing the element of confrontation.

foresee the opportunity

Specifically addresses envisioning a positive future event or chance.

anticipate the challenge

Highlights the expectation of a difficult situation or task ahead.

recognize the reality

Shifts the focus to acknowledging a current or impending situation, which may not necessarily be negative.

FAQs

How can I use "face the prospect" in a sentence?

You can use "face the prospect" to indicate that someone or something is likely to experience a particular situation in the future. For example: "Graduates will "face the prospect" of dealing with difficult teenagers."

What are some alternatives to "face the prospect"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "confront the possibility", "deal with the likelihood", or "contemplate the eventuality".

Is it better to say "face the prospect of" or "face the prospect to"?

The correct usage is "face the prospect of" followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing). For instance, "face the prospect of failure" is correct, while "face the prospect to fail" is incorrect.

What does it mean to "face the prospect with equanimity"?

To "face the prospect with equanimity" means to confront a potential future event with calmness and composure, even if it is challenging or undesirable. It implies a sense of resilience and acceptance.