give a face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give a face" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning without additional context.
It could be used in contexts where one is asked to provide a visual representation or identity, but it is not standard. Example: "In the art project, we were asked to give a face to our emotions through our paintings."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

I wanted to give a face to social justice by making portraits of human rights pioneers.

The New Yorker

We've managed to give a face, in our procedures, to people who've made journeys to Syria.

The Guardian

Art can howl from the abyss and give a face to the judicially murdered.

The Guardian - Arts

Dr. Nowacki saw the marathon as a way to raise money, pay tribute and give a face to the massacre in Newtown.

The New York Times

"I am very happy for Mourinho, who is able to give a face to this team that is expressing itself more and more.

Independent

"To give a face, a name, a body, and thought to people who are invisible, unidentified and unqualified, and thus to give them life".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It is rarely easy to give a face-lift to a New York City icon.

The New York Times

After that, the way in which they reacted and tried to revolutionize and give a face-lift to this old grandmother of an event was superb".

The New York Times - Sports

Beginning on Tuesday and continuing through the month, Microsoft will give a face-lift to its Xbox Live online entertainment service that will allow subscribers to watch a wide array of mainstream television programming from the Xbox 360 console.

The New York Times - Tech

Another 168 subjects, who were unwilling to give a face-to face interview, agreed to provide self- or proxy-completed data on sociodemographics, basic and instrumental ADLs, and usage of social care.

BMC Geriatrics

She gave a face, her face, to metastatic breast cancer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity in formal writing, consider replacing "give a face" with alternatives like "provide a visual representation" or "humanize".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on idiomatic expressions like "give a face" in formal contexts. While understood, direct language often improves clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give a face" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to describe the act of making something abstract or impersonal more relatable by associating it with a specific identity or visual representation. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts, suggesting a wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give a face" is a verb phrase commonly used to describe the act of making something abstract more relatable by associating it with a person, image, or identity. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests considering more precise alternatives for formal contexts. Its primary function is to provide concrete representation, and its usage is most frequent in news and media. When aiming for clarity, especially in formal writing, explore alternatives like "provide a visual representation" or "humanize". Remember to avoid overuse of idiomatic expressions in contexts requiring precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Provide a visual representation

Focuses on the act of creating a visual image or depiction.

Offer an identity

Highlights the act of establishing or assigning an identity.

Present an image

Emphasizes the act of displaying or showing a particular image.

Humanize

Focuses on making something abstract or impersonal more relatable by giving it human qualities.

Embody

Highlights the act of giving a concrete form to an abstract concept.

Visualize

Emphasizes the act of creating a mental image or picture.

Illustrate

Focuses on clarifying or explaining something through the use of examples or visuals.

Personify

Highlights the act of attributing human characteristics to something non-human.

Represent visually

Emphasizes the act of depicting something through visual means.

Make visible

Focuses on bringing something into view or making it apparent.

FAQs

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

You can use "give a face" when you want to make something abstract more understandable by associating it with a person or visual. For example, "The documentary aims to give a face to the refugee crisis".

What's a more formal alternative to "give a face"?

In formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "provide a visual representation", "offer an identity", or "humanize" depending on the specific context.

Is "give a face" grammatically correct?

Yes, "give a face" is grammatically acceptable, although it can be considered somewhat idiomatic. Ludwig AI indicates its use is acceptable, and it appears in published news and other sources.

When is it appropriate to use "give a face"?

It's appropriate when you wish to emphasize making an abstract concept more relatable or providing a concrete visual association. However, in very formal writing, consider using a more direct alternative.