often in the face of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "often in the face of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations where someone or something frequently encounters challenges or difficulties but continues to persevere or act despite them. Example: "The team continued to innovate and push boundaries, often in the face of significant opposition from competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such unrelenting principles marked Kuwayama's entire 96-year life, often in the face of unrelenting challenges.

Princeton University

But all too often, in the face of massive of complexity, we do not succeed.

Harvard Business Review

It produces the laws that underpin our society, often in the face of substantial disagreement.

The New York Times

These CEOs have led their companies to remarkable success, often in the face of daunting challenges.

Harvard Business Review

He did so often in the face of strong opposition," she said.

The Guardian

Tribal foresters manage roughly 18 million acres of U.S. forestland, often in the face of budgetary and staffing shortfalls.

Yale University

The Soviets would dominate international hockey through skill and creativity, often in the face of physical intimidation.

The New York Times - Sports

But yesterday's performance, often in the face of extreme provocation, showed the force had learnt much from those bruising encounters.

Independent

Kurds have been struggling for freedom and autonomy in Turkey for decades — often in the face of violent state repression.

The New York Times

Virginia Nicholson traces individual stories of these "spinsters" depicting their pluck and stoicism - often in the face of personal tragedy.

The Telegraph

Mr. Zaslow was drawn to stories about people seeking meaning in their lives, often in the face of mortality.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "often in the face of" to highlight resilience and persistence when describing actions taken despite significant challenges. This emphasizes the difficulty of the situation and the strength required to overcome it.

Common error

Avoid using "often in the face of" when the challenge is minor or easily overcome. This phrase is best suited for situations involving substantial adversity; otherwise, it may sound exaggerated or melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "often in the face of" functions as a prepositional phrase. It typically modifies a verb or noun, adding information about the circumstances under which an action occurs or a quality is displayed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to describe scenarios involving recurring challenges or difficulties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "often in the face of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to emphasize resilience and persistence amidst recurring challenges. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, from news and media to academia and science. While alternatives like "in spite of" or "despite" exist, "often in the face of" specifically underscores the frequency and intensity of the obstacles encountered. When employing this phrase, ensure the adversity is genuine and significant to avoid exaggeration. The examples that Ludwig AI provided are proof of that.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of

This is a common and direct synonym, showing that the action occurs regardless of the obstacles.

regardless of

This emphasizes that the action is not affected by the challenges.

frequently despite

This option focuses on the frequency of occurrence, emphasizing the continuation of an action even when faced with obstacles.

despite the presence of

This option explicitly mentions the existence of challenges.

often against the backdrop of

This phrase sets the action against a challenging background, highlighting the contrast between the action and the circumstances.

while confronting

This emphasizes the direct engagement and response to challenges.

in defiance of

This option emphasizes a stronger sense of resistance or opposition to the challenge.

notwithstanding

This is a more formal way of saying 'despite', placing emphasis on the challenges being secondary.

even given

This option emphasizes the challenges as already known or established.

even with

This phrase simply acknowledges the presence of challenges without necessarily highlighting them.

FAQs

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

Use "often in the face of" to illustrate how someone or something perseveres despite significant obstacles. For example: "The company continued to innovate, "often in the face of" considerable market uncertainty".

What are some alternatives to saying "often in the face of"?

Alternatives include "in spite of", "despite", or "regardless of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "often in the face of" or "despite"?

"Often in the face of" emphasizes the frequency and intensity of the challenges encountered. "Despite" is a more general term. Use "often in the face of" when you want to highlight the repeated or significant nature of the adversity.

What does "often in the face of" imply about the situation?

It implies that the situation involves frequent or significant challenges or opposition, and that someone or something is acting or succeeding despite these difficulties. It highlights resilience and determination.