faced with

USAGE SUMMARY

"faced with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is confronted by something or confronted with a choice. Example: Faced with two difficult choices, she was not sure which path to take.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Faced with a W.T.O.

The New York Times

We're faced with a catastrophe.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Everything we're faced with, they're faced with".

The New York Times - Sports

Faced with three defenders, Eto'o used them.

The New York Times - Sports

Upshaw was faced with a generational dilemma.

The New York Times - Sports

Faced with the facts, he turns away.

The New Yorker

Faced with rising prices, consumers use less.

The Economist

Faced with strong currents, Dias turned back.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We are faced with a looming disaster".

Independent

But faced with that reality, Godsey hedged.

The New York Times

The firm is faced with default.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "faced with", ensure the subject of the sentence is clearly defined and capable of taking action or making a decision in response to the situation.

Common error

Avoid redundancy by not adding unnecessary prepositions after "faced with". For example, instead of "faced with with a difficult choice", simply say "faced with a difficult choice".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faced with" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe a state of being in which someone or something is encountering a particular situation, challenge, or decision. Examples in Ludwig clearly demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "faced with" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to describe encountering a situation, challenge, or choice. Ludwig AI confirms that it effectively sets the stage for the subsequent actions or decisions. It is deemed "Very common" and spans various contexts, from formal academic writing to news reports, with neutral formality. When using "faced with", ensure clarity in defining the subject and avoid redundant prepositions. Consider alternatives like "confronted by" or "presented with" to fine-tune the intended nuance. Its pervasiveness across authoritative sources underscores its reliability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountering

A more formal and neutral term simply indicating an experience or meeting with something.

confronted by

Implies a direct and possibly challenging encounter, similar to "faced with" but can carry a slightly more aggressive connotation.

meeting with

A general term indicating a contact or interaction, but lacks the sense of confrontation or challenge inherent in "faced with".

presented with

Focuses on the act of something being offered or brought forward, whereas "faced with" emphasizes the subject's reaction to it.

up against

An informal phrase suggesting a struggle or opposition, adding a layer of difficulty that "faced with" doesn't necessarily convey.

coming up against

A slightly more informal way of saying "up against", emphasizing the act of approaching an obstacle.

contending with

Suggests an ongoing struggle or effort to overcome a challenge, highlighting the duration of the engagement.

grappling with

Emphasizes the difficulty and mental effort involved in understanding or dealing with a problem.

experiencing

Highlights the subjective sensation or feeling as a result of the situation at hand.

undergoing

Implies a process or transformation that the subject is currently within, adding a temporal aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "faced with" in a sentence?

Use "faced with" to indicate that someone is presented with a particular situation or challenge. For example, "Faced with a difficult decision, she sought advice from her mentor".

What are some alternatives to "faced with"?

You can use alternatives such as "confronted by", "presented with", or "up against" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "faced with by"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrasing is simply "faced with". The preposition "by" is redundant in this context.

What's the difference between "faced with" and "confronted with"?

While both phrases indicate encountering a situation, "faced with" is generally more neutral, while "confronted with" often implies a more challenging or adversarial encounter.