facing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'facing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the front side of something, often in comparison to the back side. For example, "The facing wall of the building has been freshly painted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The real effect of this speech will be to further increase the intolerance and the hostile reception that immigrants are facing from some sections of society".

The New York Times

The future of Barack Obama's signature healthcare reforms hangs in the balance after facing a rigorous challenge from conservative justices on the supreme court.

The Guardian

This conference brings together best practice examples, policy leaders and industry experts to discuss the challenges facing social care providers and IT support teams.

The Guardian

The world economy was in a tailspin and facing disaster to match the 1930s, but Brown had a plan which he had compared to the Bretton Woods agreement that shaped the world's postwar economic infrastructure.

The Guardian

Drastic cuts in public spending any time soon, as proposed by several of these candidates, look wildly irresponsible given the headwinds the US economy is facing from abroad.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The fact that Indonesia for a long time refused to even acknowledge that there was a double standard in their insistence that Australia was infringing their sovereignty by appealing for clemency, while at the same time appealing for clemency for its own citizens facing the death penalty in other countries, that has been really quite damaging from Australia's point of view," he said.

The Guardian

Martin Schulz, the president of the European parliament, refused to call a halt to this odd situation (which internally is now referred to as Nespressogate) even after being warned in writing more than a year ago by the joint leaders of the Green Group that coffee farmers in Latin America are facing "a real hunger crisis".

The Guardian - Opinion

In 2012, Tashkent – facing international pressure over its widely documented use of child labour to harvest its main cash crop – moved to take younger children out of the cotton fields.

The Guardian

There are many issues facing disabled candidates entering any form of employment.

The Guardian

Labour is facing a desperate battle to stop a Scottish National party landslide after a poll showed the SNP had a clear but weaker lead across Labour constituencies in Scotland.

The Guardian

He is understood to have been offered another deal to carry on posing the questions to contestants facing him in the infamous black chair.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance your writing, avoid overusing "facing" by replacing it with stronger verbs like "confronting", "tackling", or "addressing", which can add nuance and precision to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "facing" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Ensure the subject actively engages with the challenge rather than passively experiencing it to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "facing" primarily functions as a present participle or gerund of the verb "face". It can also function as an adjective, describing direction or orientation. This is supported by Ludwig's AI response, which confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "facing" is a versatile term frequently used in English to describe the act of confronting challenges, indicating direction, or presenting a surface. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable. Predominantly found in news and media, its usage spans from describing companies "facing" financial difficulties to objects "facing" a particular direction. While alternatives like "confronting" and "addressing" can add nuance, "facing" remains a neutral and widely accepted term, as demonstrated by numerous examples. This analysis provides practical guidance on its best use and potential errors to avoid, ensuring effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confronting

Indicates a direct encounter with a challenge or problem, similar to "facing" but with a stronger sense of opposition.

dealing with

Implies managing or handling a situation, differing from "facing" by focusing on the process rather than the encounter.

encountering

Suggests a chance meeting or unexpected experience, varying from "facing" in its emphasis on unplanned events.

up against

Highlights the competitive or adversarial aspect of dealing with a challenge, unlike the neutral connotation of "facing".

grappling with

Emphasizes the struggle or difficulty in handling a situation, adding a layer of intensity not present in "facing".

contending with

Stresses the effort and competition involved in addressing a problem, making it more forceful than "facing".

experiencing

Focuses on the undergoing of an event or situation, differing from "facing" by highlighting the subject's state.

being challenged by

Highlights the aspect of being tested or confronted, adding an element of adversity absent in "facing".

fronting

Suggests the act of presenting something to the public. Different than facing in terms of connotations

in the face of

Emphasizes resilience and defiance when confronted with adversity, adding emotional weight not found in "facing".

FAQs

How can I use "facing" in a sentence?

You can use "facing" to describe someone encountering a challenge, like "The company is "facing financial difficulties"" or to indicate direction, like "The house is "facing the sea"".

What are some alternatives to the word "facing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "confronting", "addressing", or "dealing with" when referring to challenges. For direction, alternatives include "overlooking" or "fronting".

Is it correct to say "facing with" instead of "facing"?

The phrase "facing" is typically used without "with" when describing challenges. For example, it's more common to say "facing a problem" rather than "facing with a problem". You might use "facing with" when referring to presenting a surface, as in "The wall was faced with brick".

What's the difference between "facing" and "confronting"?

"Facing" generally implies an awareness or experience of something, while "confronting" suggests a more active and often combative approach to dealing with a challenge. "Facing" can also refer to physical orientation, which "confronting" cannot.