facing starvation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "facing starvation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals or groups are experiencing extreme hunger or lack of food. Example: "The humanitarian crisis has left thousands of people facing starvation in the war-torn region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Angolans, meanwhile, will be facing starvation.

The Economist

They are facing starvation unless we get help there.

The Guardian

Eventually facing starvation, Krishnan is reduced to stealing coconuts from his employer's property and is arrested.

The New York Times

Facing starvation, she took the chocolate bar from a shop shelf.

Independent

Agricultural production per head has risen; the numbers facing starvation have declined.

The Economist

Some 200,000 farmers and herdsman had lost their livelihoods and, facing starvation, crossed the border to Nigeria.

The Guardian

Save the Children now estimates that as many as 400,000 children in Niger are facing starvation.

The Guardian

Large numbers of people are dodging bombs, having their nails pulled out in dungeons, facing starvation, disease.

The Guardian - Music

The most pitiable victims of Africa's oldest war are three million Ethiopians trapped on battlefields and facing starvation.

The New York Times

This technology left many of the artisans facing starvation and selling the wood from their looms for firewood.

The New York Times - Travel

His article should be read carefully by every American who rushed to support the "war" on a population already facing starvation in a devastated country.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where people are "facing starvation", provide specific details about the causes and consequences of the food shortage, such as drought, conflict, or economic factors.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure responsibility for the conditions leading to starvation. Instead of saying "Starvation is being faced", specify who is "facing starvation" and, if known, who or what is causing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing starvation" functions as a verbal phrase acting as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the state of being in imminent danger of dying from hunger. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "facing starvation" is a powerful descriptor used to depict situations of extreme food scarcity and imminent death from hunger. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts. It is most commonly found in news reports detailing humanitarian crises, scientific studies analyzing famine, and formal documents addressing food security. While the phrase carries a neutral tone, its purpose is to convey the urgency and severity of the situation, often prompting calls for aid and intervention. Alternatives such as "on the brink of starvation" and "experiencing famine" offer similar meanings with slight nuances in emphasis. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific details about the causes and consequences of the food shortage and avoid passive voice constructions that obscure responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the brink of starvation

Emphasizes the proximity to starvation, suggesting it is imminent.

on the verge of starvation

Similar to "on the brink of starvation", highlighting the closeness to starvation.

experiencing famine

Describes a widespread food shortage, often affecting a large population.

suffering from acute hunger

Focuses on the intense hunger being experienced.

grappling with food insecurity

Indicates a lack of reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food.

in a state of food crisis

Highlights the emergency situation due to food shortages.

threatened by famine

Emphasizes the potential future occurrence of famine.

at risk of starvation

Indicates a vulnerability to starvation.

lacking access to food

Focuses on the unavailability of food resources.

dealing with food scarcity

Highlights the limited availability of food.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "facing starvation"?

Saying someone is "facing starvation" means they are in a situation where they are likely to die from lack of food. It indicates extreme hunger and a severe food shortage.

What are some alternative phrases for "facing starvation"?

You can use alternatives like "on the brink of starvation", "at risk of starvation", or "experiencing famine" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "facing starvation" in formal writing?

Yes, "facing starvation" is appropriate in formal writing when describing situations of severe food shortage or famine. It's a direct and clear way to convey the severity of the situation.

What are the common causes of populations "facing starvation"?

Populations may be "facing starvation" due to various factors such as drought, war, economic instability, natural disasters, or political conflicts that disrupt food supplies.