face to face

USAGE SUMMARY

"face to face" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to two people meeting and interacting directly, without any screen or other technology serving as a mediator. For example: "He'll be visiting our office next week to discuss the problem face to face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Face to face.

Independent

Finally, face to face.

The New York Times

Frida Kahlo: face to face.

Columbia University

"You're brought face to face with yourself".

Independent

Congregations meet regularly face to face.

The Economist

"She came face to face with him.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Here are those face-to face issues.

Forbes

"It's face-to-face.

The New Yorker

Face-to-face interaction.

University of California, Berkeley

Talk face-to-face.

Harvard University

Face-to-face or over the phone?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "face to face" when emphasizing the importance of direct, personal interaction, especially in situations where nuanced communication or relationship building is crucial.

Common error

While "face to face" is acceptable in many contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "in person" or "directly" in professional documents or academic papers to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face to face" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed. It indicates that an interaction occurs directly and personally, without intermediaries. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse source types.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

31%

Science

19%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "face to face" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adverbial phrase that describes direct, personal interactions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. While versatile, remember that more formal alternatives like "in person" might be preferable in certain professional or academic contexts. The phrase appears frequently in Wiki and News & Media sources, emphasizing its widespread use in describing interpersonal communications. Use "face to face" to stress the importance and immediacy of direct human contact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in person

Indicates a physical meeting rather than a virtual one.

one on one

Implies a direct, individual interaction.

directly

Focuses on the absence of intermediaries in the interaction.

personally

Highlights the personal involvement in the interaction.

vis-à-vis

A more formal term for being in direct relation or confrontation.

in close proximity

Emphasizes the physical closeness during the interaction.

in direct contact

Stresses the immediate and unmediated nature of the interaction.

confronting directly

Highlights the act of addressing something without avoidance.

meeting head-on

Suggests a bold and immediate approach to a challenge or person.

eye to eye

Implies agreement or a clear understanding reached through direct communication.

FAQs

How can I use "face to face" in a sentence?

You can use "face to face" to describe interactions that occur in person, such as, "It's better to discuss these issues "face to face" rather than over email."

What are some alternatives to saying "face to face"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "in person", "one on one", or "directly" instead of "face to face".

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

The phrase "face to face" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the direct and personal nature of an interaction, especially when contrasting it with virtual or remote communication.

Is "face to face" formal or informal?

"Face to face" is generally considered to be neutral to informal. In more formal writing, using "in person" might be more suitable.