face thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face thin" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe someone with a thin or gaunt appearance, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "After weeks of illness, her face looked thin and drawn."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He had a plebeian face, thin hair parted down the middle, and a coarse, prominent brow.

The New Yorker

A plain black face, thin bezels, a dark chromed plastic edge and a simple plastic back.

The Guardian - Tech

He has shaggy, dyed-blond hair, a narrow, asymmetrical face, thin lips, a jut chin, and slitty blue eyes.

The New Yorker

K.K. sat in bed, scared, his face thin and worn, and distracted himself with meaningless banter, falling into Husna's mode of speech, which had become for them a private language.

The New Yorker

On Nov. 27, 1943, Anne Frank wrote in her diary about a dream of a friend: "I saw her in front of me, clothed in rags, her face thin and worn.

The New York Times

As a reserved son of Japanese immigrants growing up in Seattle, he was called a sissy by the neighborhood boys; as an adult, he was sensitive, introspective, small and delicate: he had a bony face, thin brown hair and a skinny build.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Horizontal shapes and rectangles are especially useful in making your face look thinner.

WikiHow

This will make your face look thinner and longer in appearance, and provide the shadows that naturally occur without foundation.

WikiHow

As Ben McPherson, a television producer who has been following the trial, noted: Lippestad looks much older now than he did a year ago, his face thinner and slightly drawn.

The New York Times

It found that about half the country would face thinner coverage for people who buy their own insurance, as it would be unlikely to include mental health and addiction treatment services, maternity care or rehabilitation services.

The New York Times

His face thinned, and eyes seemed to hollow.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "face thin". Instead, opt for more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "thin face" or "gaunt face" to describe someone's facial appearance.

Common error

Remember that in English, adjectives typically follow a specific order. When describing a face, place descriptive adjectives (like "thin" or "gaunt") before the noun ("face"). Saying "face thin" disrupts this order and sounds unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face thin" functions as a descriptive phrase, aiming to characterize a facial appearance. However, due to its unconventional word order, it deviates from standard grammatical norms. Ludwig AI has flagged this expression as not conveying a clear meaning in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "face thin" attempts to describe a facial appearance characterized by a lack of fullness, it is grammatically incorrect and unconventional in standard English. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, it lacks clarity and proper context. More appropriate alternatives include ""thin face"", ""gaunt face"", or ""drawn face"", which provide clearer and more grammatically sound ways to convey a similar meaning. Although examples can be found in news and media contexts, opting for these alternatives enhances clarity and professionalism in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thin face

A more general term indicating a lack of fullness in the face.

gaunt face

Emphasizes a hollow and emaciated appearance, often due to illness or age.

drawn face

Suggests a face that looks tired, strained, or haggard, often from stress or sickness.

haggard face

Indicates a face that is worn and tired, often with lines or wrinkles.

emaciated face

Highlights extreme thinness, typically due to starvation or disease.

hollow cheeks

Focuses specifically on the sunken appearance of the cheeks.

angular face

Describes a face with prominent bone structure and sharp angles.

sharp features

Refers to distinct and well-defined facial features, often associated with thinness.

wan face

Implies a pale and sickly complexion, often linked to thinness.

attenuated face

A more formal way of saying that the face has become thin or reduced in size.

FAQs

What's wrong with saying "face thin"?

The phrase "face thin" is grammatically incorrect in English. The adjective should come before the noun. It's more appropriate to say "thin face".

What are some better ways to describe someone with a thin face?

Instead of "face thin", you can use phrases like "thin face", "gaunt face", or "drawn face" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "face thin" ever correct in any context?

While the phrase "face thin" might be understood, it is not considered standard English and should be avoided in formal writing. Using proper adjective order improves clarity and readability.

How does the meaning change with different adjectives to describe a thin face?

While all describe a lack of fullness, "thin face" is a general term. "Gaunt face" suggests illness or deprivation, and "drawn face" indicates tiredness or stress.