facing one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "facing one another" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more people or objects that are oriented towards each other. Example: "The two friends were sitting on the bench, facing one another as they shared stories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This could include pictures of people interacting; words like "community," "together," or "friendship;" or even two stuffed animals facing one another on a shelf.

University of California, Berkeley

However, this revolution is not going to be armies facing one another on a field of battle, each killing to demonstrate power.

Huffington Post

We sit facing one another, her on a yellow chair, me on a blue one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Here's how it works: two people sit at a table facing one another with a judge on either side.

Vice

We knelt facing one another across an enormous kettle on a brazier.

The New York Times - Travel

The lame-duck votes on Keystone come as Landrieu and Cassidy are facing one another in a runoff election for her Senate seat on Dec. 6.

Huffington Post

After the introduction circle, we stood on our mats in two rows facing one another.

The New York Times

He sits them down facing one another and walks behind them, putting a cap on each man's head.

The New Yorker

Our best possible outcome is Blake and Roddick facing one another midway so one of them has to move on.

Huffington Post

We stood facing one another in the harsh fluorescent light.

The New Yorker

A+B=C depicts two children's slides, facing one another.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical arrangements, ensure that the context clearly indicates whether "facing one another" implies direct interaction or simply spatial orientation. For instance, "The chairs were arranged facing one another" is less specific than "The debaters stood facing one another, ready to argue."

Common error

Avoid using "facing one another" when the context suggests conflict or opposition if that's not your intention. The phrase can sometimes imply confrontation. Use a more neutral phrase like "positioned across from each other" if you want to avoid this implication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing one another" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the spatial relationship or orientation between two or more entities. Examples show it modifying verbs to indicate how subjects are positioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "facing one another" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the spatial orientation of two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. Analysis reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, indicating a neutral register. When using the phrase, consider the potential implications of direct interaction and choose alternative phrasings like "opposite each other" or "across from each other" if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite each other

Replaces "facing" with "opposite", emphasizing the positional relationship.

fronting each other

Similar to facing, but might suggest a more active or deliberate orientation.

in front of one another

Emphasizes the placement of entities directly ahead of each other.

across from each other

Specifies a spatial arrangement where entities are situated directly across.

vis-à-vis each other

A more formal alternative, indicating a face-to-face relationship or comparison.

looking at each other

Focuses on the visual aspect of the relationship, implying direct gaze.

in opposition

Highlights the contrasting nature or conflicting positions of the entities.

meeting face to face

Stresses the direct and personal nature of the encounter.

eye to eye

Indicates a direct encounter or confrontation, often used figuratively.

confronting one another

Implies a more adversarial or challenging relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "facing one another" in a sentence?

Use "facing one another" to describe people or objects positioned in such a way that they are looking or oriented towards each other. For example, "The dancers stood "facing one another" before starting their routine."

What can I say instead of "facing one another"?

You can use alternatives like "opposite each other", "across from each other", or "in front of one another" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say 'facing directly one another'?

While not strictly incorrect, "facing directly one another" can be slightly redundant. The word "directly" usually is already implied in ""facing one another"". It's often more concise to simply say "facing one another."

What's the difference between "facing one another" and "opposite one another"?

"Facing one another" suggests a direct visual or orientational relationship. "Opposite one another" primarily indicates a spatial arrangement without necessarily implying a direct visual connection or interaction. For example, buildings on opposite sides of the street are "opposite one another", but people in a debate are "facing one another".