grave faced

USAGE SUMMARY

"grave faced" is correct and usable in written English as an adjective phrase to describe someone's expression.
It means that someone has a serious or solemn expression on their face. Example: The CEO walked into the boardroom with a grave faced expression, hinting that the meeting was going to address an important and serious matter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Neruda and Ms. Urrutia were buried together in a grave facing the Pacific Ocean at his seaside home in Isla Negra, about 70 miles west of Santiago.

The New York Times

Affairs at Melilla, Bilbao, and in the Asturias were considered to-day at the Cabinet Council in Madrid, which judged the situation at the gravest faced since 1909.

The New York Times

Ukip may be largely bonkers, but its leader is at least addressing an issue which is surely the gravest facing our increasingly crowded nation.

Independent

Tears trickled down some of the grave faces.

The New York Times

Writer left the post office thinking, "What ever happpened to the grave faces of the Presidents?..

The New Yorker

Her grave face is tightly framed by long hair and bangs, which almost conceal her eyes.

The New York Times - Arts

With grave faces, they iron underwear that is not theirs, and serve their masters in many other ways.

The New York Times

But people go about their daily chores with grave faces and try to avoid talking to foreigners, or even smiling.

The Economist

Nor could she "sit all day long making a grave face before my husband - I would laugh...'...'..

Independent

"When I switched on the news and saw the grave, grave face of the newsreader, my heart sank," she said.

The New York Times

A gentle tip of the pan produced a leaping flame that lighted up his pale, grave face.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if "grave faced" is the most appropriate choice. Alternatives like "solemn faced" or "serious faced" may be more suitable depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "grave faced" in contexts that require a lighthearted or humorous tone. The phrase carries a strong sense of seriousness and is inappropriate for casual or jovial situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave faced" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (usually a person) to describe their facial expression. It indicates a look of seriousness, concern, or solemnity. As Ludwig AI explains, it's an adjective phrase that means someone has a serious or solemn expression on their face.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave faced" is an adjective phrase used to describe someone with a serious or solemn expression. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, as demonstrated by the limited number of examples, it is appropriately used in formal or serious contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternative phrases such as "solemn faced" or "serious faced" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When using the expression, it's important to consider the context and avoid using it in lighthearted situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solemn faced

Replaces "grave" with "solemn", maintaining the serious tone but with a slightly more formal connotation.

serious faced

Uses "serious" instead of "grave", which is a more common and straightforward way to describe a stern expression.

stern faced

Emphasizes the severity and strictness of the expression.

grim faced

Highlights the bleakness or pessimism conveyed by the facial expression.

somber faced

Implies a subdued and melancholic expression.

long faced

Suggests a sad or disappointed expression, often implying a prolonged state of unhappiness.

heavy hearted

Shifts the focus from the face to the underlying emotional state, suggesting deep sadness or sorrow.

crestfallen

Describes a dejected or disappointed expression, often after a setback or failure.

downcast

Indicates a lowered gaze and a general sense of sadness or discouragement.

melancholy expression

Replaces the direct facial description with a broader reference to a melancholy demeanor.

FAQs

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

You can use "grave faced" to describe someone who looks serious or concerned. For example, "The doctor delivered the news with a "grave faced" expression".

What are some synonyms for "grave faced"?

Alternatives include "solemn faced", "serious faced", and "stern faced", each conveying a slightly different nuance of seriousness or concern.

Is "grave faced" a formal or informal expression?

"Grave faced" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression, suitable for news reporting and serious discussions. More casual situations might call for less intense descriptors.

What's the difference between "grave faced" and "grim faced"?

"Grave faced" suggests seriousness and concern, while "grim faced" implies a more bleak or pessimistic outlook. The choice depends on the specific emotion you want to convey.