of the face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of the face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing facial features, expressions, or characteristics related to the face. Example: "The artist captured the subtle emotions of the face in her painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Signposts of the face!

The New Yorker

Slight flushing of the face.

Independent

The toenails of the face.

The New Yorker

Another scrunch of the face.

The Guardian - Film

Or an occasional change of the face.

The New York Times

The cap hides part of the face.

The New York Times

The condition of the face certainly justified the suspicion.

Yale University

The modeling is very fine, especially that of the face.

Harvard University

A slider adjusts the radius of the face.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The neuralga of the face is the after affect/trauma.

Harvard University

Nevertheless, the subnasal region of the face is projected.

L'Anthropologie

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of the face" to specifically denote a characteristic, part, or condition directly associated with the face. For example, "the expression of the face" or "the condition of the face".

Common error

Avoid using "of the face" when it adds unnecessary words. Instead of "the redness of the face's skin", simply state "the redness of the skin".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "of the face" is to act as a post-modifying prepositional phrase. It typically follows a noun, specifying a relationship or attribute directly related to the face. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from describing conditions to artistic renderings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

24%

Science

30%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of the face" is a commonly used prepositional phrase primarily functioning to specify attributes or relationships associated with the face. Ludwig AI shows the phrase is grammatically sound and prevalent across a range of sources, including news, academic, and scientific publications, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. To maintain writing precision, avoid redundant constructions and unnecessary wordiness when using "of the face". It's also useful to consider the various alternatives based on what you are trying to express, for example, the phrase "facial expression" may work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

related to the face

Substitutes the prepositional phrase with a participial phrase.

regarding the face

Changes the preposition to express a similar relationship.

concerning the face

Employs a more formal preposition to denote the subject.

pertaining to the face

Replaces "of" with a more formal preposition indicating relevance.

facial expression

Focuses on the observable aspect of the face.

in relation to the face

Expands the prepositional phrase for emphasis.

concerning facial features

Specifies the aspect of the face being discussed.

affecting the face

Focuses on how something influences the face.

on the face

Uses a different preposition to indicate location or surface.

visage

Replaces the entire phrase with a single noun.

FAQs

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

The phrase "of the face" is used to describe something that pertains to or is a part of the face. For example, "The expression "of the face" revealed her surprise."

What are some alternatives to using "of the face"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "facial expression", "facial features", or simply rephrase to avoid the construction altogether.

Is it more appropriate to say "of the face" or "facial"?

It depends on the context. "Facial" is an adjective and directly modifies a noun (e.g., "facial expression"). "Of the face" is a prepositional phrase that typically follows a noun (e.g., "the muscles "of the face"").

Can "of the face" be replaced with a possessive form?

In some cases, yes. For instance, "the muscles of the face" could become "the face's muscles". However, this isn't always possible or stylistically preferable.