in the face of questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the face of questions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a situation where someone is confronted with inquiries or challenges, often implying a need to respond or act despite those challenges. Example: "The CEO remained calm in the face of questions about the company's declining profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In the face of questions about enforcement and city resources, her bill never made it out of committee.

The New York Times

But in the face of questions from Congress about the Trump campaign, the F.B.I. declined to tip its hand.

The New York Times

The federal Justice Department has begun a study of Tasers in the face of questions over their safety.

The New York Times

Mr. Gingrich was once again in the position of vowing to carry on in the face of questions about his viability.

The New York Times

In the face of questions about how the suspected misconduct could have gone unnoticed for such a long time, Ms. Lapp defended the agency.

The New York Times

United's proposed takeover of US Airways failed in 2001 in the face of questions from the Justice Department about its impact on competition.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

And, in the face of the questions posed by Carney, what have the SNP said?

The Guardian

Perhaps in the face of such questions you are happy to leave it to the professionals?

The Guardian

He was comfortable in the face of uncomfortable questions and brutally honest.

The New York Times - Sports

Cohen is unflappable in the face of persistent questions about his next move.

The Guardian

Moore continued to challenge the allegations against him, even in the face of genuine questions about his defense.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the face of questions" to convey resilience or defiance when someone is under scrutiny. For example, "The athlete remained composed in the face of questions about doping allegations."

Common error

Avoid using "in the face of questions" when the subject is actively avoiding or ignoring questions. The phrase implies confrontation, not evasion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the face of questions" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to describe the circumstances under which an action occurs. It indicates that something is done while confronting or dealing with inquiries or scrutiny. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with multiple real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the face of questions" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a situation where someone or something is confronted with inquiries or scrutiny. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that it's grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media contexts to emphasize resilience or continued action despite these challenges. While the phrase isn't exceptionally common, it's a valuable tool for conveying how individuals or entities respond when under pressure. Understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, such as emphasizing confrontation rather than evasion, ensures precise and effective communication. Alternatives like "confronted with questions" or "under questioning" offer similar meanings, allowing for subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confronted with questions

Focuses on the act of being directly challenged by questions.

challenged by questions

Highlights questions as a direct challenge.

in response to queries

Highlights that something is done as a direct result of questions.

under questioning

Emphasizes the state of being subjected to questioning.

amid questions

Implies questions are ongoing and surrounding a situation.

facing interrogation

Highlights a more formal and potentially adversarial questioning.

despite the questions

Highlights that something is done even though questions exist.

subjected to scrutiny

Shifts the focus to critical examination rather than direct questioning.

given the inquiries

Implies consideration of the questions when making a decision.

answering inquiries

Focuses on the action of providing answers to questions.

FAQs

How can I use "in the face of questions" in a sentence?

Use "in the face of questions" to describe how someone reacts when confronted with inquiries, especially when they maintain composure or continue despite challenges. For example, "The company defended its policies in the face of questions from shareholders."

What does "in the face of questions" mean?

It means dealing with a situation while being subjected to inquiries or challenges, often implying resilience or defiance.

Which is a better fit, "in response to questions" or "in the face of questions"?

"In response to questions" indicates a direct answer or reaction to specific inquiries. "In the face of questions" implies enduring or acting despite ongoing questioning or scrutiny.

What are some alternative phrases I can use instead of "in the face of questions"?

You can use alternatives like "confronted with questions", "under questioning", or "in response to queries" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.