grave faces

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave faces" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe expressions that are serious, solemn, or reflecting deep concern or sadness. Example: "The room fell silent as the news was delivered, and everyone wore grave faces, understanding the weight of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

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

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

But as I arrived to collect my bargain machine I was greeted by two grave faces: it wasn't available.

The Guardian - Travel

He knew then why he could always smell the odour of dreams in the grave faces of the television newsreaders, in the front-page banner headlines.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Arts

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

"We toured with him in a sling," Maliphant says, a smile breaking over his normally grave face.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grave faces" to describe a group of people who are exhibiting serious, solemn, or concerned expressions, especially in response to bad news or a somber event.

Common error

While "grave faces" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in overly casual or humorous contexts where a more lighthearted description would be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave faces" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies an unspecified group of people, indicating their emotional state or reaction to a situation. Ludwig AI examples show its common usage in describing reactions to sad or difficult events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave faces" is a common and grammatically correct descriptor used to depict serious, somber, or concerned expressions. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase frequently appears in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts to convey the emotional weight of a situation. While alternatives like "serious expressions" or "solemn countenances" exist, "grave faces" provides a direct and readily understood way to communicate the gravity of a moment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious expressions

Focuses on the emotional state conveyed by the face.

solemn countenances

Emphasizes the formal and dignified nature of the expression, replacing "faces" with a more archaic term.

somber visages

Uses a more literary term for face, highlighting the sadness or seriousness.

concerned looks

Highlights the worry or anxiety reflected in the faces.

grim faces

Emphasizes the harshness or severity of the expression.

long faces

Indicates sadness or disappointment.

serious demeanors

Shifts the focus from just the face to the overall behavior.

expressions of concern

Rephrases the idea into a noun phrase, emphasizing the emotion.

melancholy aspects

Describes the faces as reflecting deep sadness or pensiveness.

unsmiling faces

Simply indicates the absence of happiness or joy.

FAQs

What does "grave faces" mean?

The phrase "grave faces" describes people with serious, somber, or concerned expressions, often indicating they are facing a difficult or sad situation.

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

You can say, "The news reporters wore "grave faces" as they announced the disaster" or "The committee members had "grave faces" during the financial review".

What are some alternatives to "grave faces"?

You can use alternatives like "serious expressions", "solemn countenances", or "concerned looks" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "grave faces" formal or informal?

"Grave faces" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in news reporting and descriptive writing than in casual conversation.