make faces

USAGE SUMMARY

"make faces" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's facial expressions or gestures that convey a particular emotion or reaction. Example: The toddler loves to make faces in the mirror, imitating the expressions of her favorite cartoon characters. In this sentence, "make faces" is used to describe the action of the toddler in changing her facial expressions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't make faces, it's a beautiful day!

The New York Times

We get to make faces in public.

The New York Times

And certainly don't make faces during televised public events".

The Guardian

Some people make faces at the audience and laugh loudly.

The New York Times

Make faces when I asked him a question.

The New York Times - Magazine

("I don't act, I just make faces," goes one song).

The New York Times - Arts

"They come up, make faces, check out their teeth.

The New York Times - Science

The others make faces as he speaks to Clegg.

The Guardian

It just makes everyone make faces behind your back.

The New York Times - Sports

"I look at their faces and make faces back at them".

The New York Times - Books

And certainly don't make faces during televised, public events," she concluded.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make faces" to describe playful or exaggerated facial expressions, especially when interacting with children or in informal settings.

Common error

In professional or academic settings, opt for more precise language such as "displaying a negative reaction" or "expressing disapproval" instead of "make faces".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make faces" functions as a verb phrase. It describes an action, specifically the act of creating facial expressions, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make faces" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of creating expressive facial expressions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in various contexts, though it's best suited for informal settings. While frequently found in news and media, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. When aiming for playful or exaggerated expression, "make faces" is a perfectly appropriate and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pull faces

Emphasizes the deliberate act of contorting one's face, often negatively.

grimace

Implies a facial expression indicating pain, disgust, or disapproval.

scowl

Suggests a stern or angry facial expression.

smirk

Indicates a smug or conceited facial expression.

express oneself facially

A more formal way of saying someone is showing their emotions through their face.

contort one's face

Highlights the twisting or deforming of the face.

show emotion through facial expressions

Focuses on the communication of feelings via the face.

wear an expression

Implies a sustained or characteristic facial expression.

display a countenance

A more formal and literary way of describing a facial expression.

give a look

Suggests a brief but meaningful facial expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "make faces" to describe someone intentionally creating funny or expressive facial expressions. For example: "The baby loves it when I "make faces" at him."

What's a good alternative to "make faces"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "pull faces" or "grimace" to describe specific facial expressions.

Is it appropriate to use "make faces" in formal writing?

No, "make faces" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more descriptive and precise language to describe facial expressions, such as "displaying displeasure".

What does it mean when someone says they "make faces"?

When someone says they ""make faces"", it usually means they are intentionally creating exaggerated or comical facial expressions, often to entertain or express a feeling.