lend his face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lend his face" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers, as "lend" typically refers to giving something temporarily, while "face" does not fit in this context. Example: "He wanted to lend his face to the campaign, but it was unclear what that meant."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Tom Hiddleston is the latest famous man to lend his face to Emma Watson's new gender equality initiative.

Independent

The mayor's aides have said Mr. Bloomberg will agree to lend his face to public service announcements to generate such services.

The New York Times

Harrison Ford is the latest celebrity to lend his face, or rather his upper lip, to the 'Got Milk?' campaign.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr. Brody has lent his face and physique to Zegna's ads, for a figure the company would not disclose.

The New York Times

After all, he had lent his face, reedy frame and vaunted persona not to a film but to an ad campaign.

The New York Times - Style

In 1992, Dr. Maybury-lents lent his face and elegiac voice to the concerns, as the host of "Millennium: Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World," which appeared on PBS in 10 hourlong episodes.

The New York Times

He has also lent his face to protests organised by a group called North Korea Defector Concerns, rallying against China's forcible repatriation of North Koreans, a situation he has called "unacceptable and extremely unethical".

The Guardian

Ever since, he's lent his face, time and energy to a worldwide movement against bullying.

Huffington Post

Physically, Fleming describes Leiter in Casino Royale: "a mop of straw-coloured hair lent his face a boyish look which closer examination contradicted".

Wikipedia

Pruitt lent his face to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the largest trade organization in the country representing the beef industry, for a promotional video encouraging farmers and cattle ranchers to submit comments on the Obama-era rule's repeal before August 28.

Vice

Until his retirement two years ago, Mr. Jordan dominated his sport as no one else has, and he continues to be a ubiquitous media presence, lending his fame, his face and his soft, deep voice to worthy causes like batteries, long-distance calling plans and Gatorade.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If describing how someone's features contribute to their overall look, use descriptions like "his face conveys" or "his appearance suggests".

Common error

Avoid using "lend" in reference to a person's face, as it implies a temporary giving of a physical feature. Instead, use vocabulary that denotes support, representation, or the act of contributing to something. For example: instead of writing 'He wanted to "lend his face" to the campaign,' consider using 'He wanted to offer his image to the campaign'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lend his face" functions as a verb phrase where the intention is to describe someone offering their image or likeness in support of something. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is not grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig showcase various attempts to use the phrase in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lend his face" appears in various contexts, particularly within news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning generally revolves around offering one's image for support or endorsement. Given its awkwardness and potential for misinterpretation, it is advisable to use more conventional alternatives such as "offer his image", "provide his likeness" or "lend his support". These alternatives ensure clarity and precision in conveying the intended message, which ultimately improves your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer his image

Replaces "lend his face" with a more direct and common expression for providing one's likeness.

provide his likeness

Similar to "offer his image", but emphasizes the physical appearance being provided.

associate himself with

Focuses on the act of aligning oneself with a cause or organization.

support publicly

Highlights the act of offering visible and vocal support.

endorse visibly

Emphasizes the act of endorsing or promoting something in a clear manner.

lend his support

Indicates the act of offering backing or assistance without necessarily showing his image.

front a campaign

Suggests taking a leading and visible role in a promotional effort.

become the spokesperson

Signifies assuming the role of official representative.

his face conveys

Expresses what his facial expression or general appearance communicates.

his appearance suggests

Describes how his overall look implies a certain impression or trait.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lend his face" to something?

The expression "lend his face" is not standard English. It usually means to offer one's image or likeness in support of something like a campaign or cause. A more appropriate alternative could be to "offer his image" or "associate himself with".

Are there better ways to say "lend his face"?

Yes, instead of "lend his face", consider using phrases like "provide his likeness", "lend his support", or "endorse visibly". These options offer more clarity and are grammatically correct.

How can I use "lend" correctly in a similar context?

You can correctly use "lend" with nouns like support, assistance, or expertise. For instance, "He decided to "lend his support" to the charity event" is grammatically sound.

What's a better alternative to describe someone's appearance contributing to an impression?

Instead of trying to use "lend" to describe a facial characteristic, consider saying "his face conveys" or "his appearance suggests". For example, "His weary face conveyed a sense of determination".