his face

USAGE SUMMARY

'his face' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's facial expression or appearance. For example: "The anger on his face suggested he was not happy with the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His face.

The New York Times

"His face is everywhere".

The New York Times

His face was mashed.

The New York Times

His face barely sags.

The New York Times - Sports

His face crumpled.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then his face cleared.

The New Yorker

I studied his face.

The New Yorker

Maico touched his face.

The New Yorker

"It's his face.

The New York Times - Sports

His face softened.

The New York Times - Magazine

His face brightened.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes in emotion, pair "his face" with descriptive verbs and adjectives to convey nuance and impact, such as "his face lit up" or "his face fell".

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "his face" within a short passage. Vary your descriptions by focusing on specific features (eyes, mouth) or using alternative phrases like "his expression" or "the look on his face".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his face" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "his" acts as a possessive pronoun modifying the noun "face". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "his face" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a male individual's facial appearance or expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English. The expression is highly versatile and appropriate for various contexts, notably appearing in News & Media, as well as Academia and Formal & Business publications. While it's a straightforward way to refer to someone's face, remember to use synonyms or focus on distinct characteristics (like eyes and lips) when you feel is necessary to avoid redundancy. Alternative phrasing could be "the look on his face" or "his facial expression". Key resources include The New York Times and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the look on his face

Focuses on the expression conveyed, rather than just the physical appearance.

his facial expression

More formal and clinical way to refer to the appearance.

the appearance of his face

More descriptive and less direct than "his face".

his facial features

Highlights individual components of the face, such as eyes or mouth.

the contours of his face

Emphasizes the physical structure and shape of the face.

the aspect of his face

Focuses on a particular view or impression of his face.

his visage

A more archaic and literary term for face.

his countenance

Similar to 'visage' but slightly more focused on the emotional aspect of the face.

his mug

Informal and often humorous term for face.

his physiognomy

Refers to the study of facial features, and can be used to indicate it.

FAQs

How can I describe someone's face instead of saying "his face"?

You can use descriptive alternatives such as "his countenance", "his visage", or focus on specific features like "the look in his eyes" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to use "his face" in formal writing?

Yes, "his face" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It's a direct and clear way to refer to someone's facial appearance. However, consider varying your language to avoid repetition.

What does it mean when someone says "the look on his face"?

Saying "the look on his face" emphasizes the expression or emotion conveyed by his face at a particular moment, rather than just the physical appearance. It suggests a specific reaction or feeling.

How can I avoid repeating "his face" too often in my writing?

To avoid repetition, try using pronouns (he), focusing on specific features like his eyes or mouth, or using alternative phrases like "his expression" or "his countenance".