on its face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on its face" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe something that appears to be true or valid from first appearances or from the surface. For example, "The contract seemed valid on its face, but further inspection revealed multiple discrepancies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On its face it makes sense.

The New York Times

On its face, it sounded preposterous.

The New York Times

On its face, it does not.

University of California, Berkeley

On its face, it sounds reasonable enough.

The Washington Post

On its face, it's a ridiculous question.

The Guardian - Opinion

On its face it's implausible and illogical.

Huffington Post

"It's absurd on its face".

The New York Times

Yet it keeps falling on its face.

The Economist

It seems problematic on its face".

The New Yorker

It makes sense on its face.

Forbes

It's outrageous on its face.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on its face" to introduce an initial assessment or impression that may require further investigation. This signals to the reader that you are presenting a preliminary judgment, not a final conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "on its face" when you mean "in your face", which describes something blatant, aggressive, or confrontational. They have completely different meanings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on its face" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating how something appears initially or superficially. Ludwig shows it is often used to qualify a statement or judgment, suggesting a preliminary assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on its face" is a versatile and frequently used expression that introduces an initial assessment or impression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears across a range of contexts, from news media to academic writing. Remember to use it when you want to signal a preliminary judgment that may require further scrutiny. While widely applicable, it's crucial to avoid confusing it with similar-sounding phrases like "in your face", which have entirely different meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first glance

This phrase emphasizes the immediate, initial impression something gives.

at face value

This phrase means accepting something as it appears without further scrutiny.

on the surface

This phrase highlights a contrast between the outward appearance and a potentially different underlying reality.

prima facie

This term, borrowed from Latin, is often used in legal contexts to indicate something appears true until proven otherwise.

by all appearances

This phrase suggests something seems to be true based on how it appears to others.

to all appearances

Similar to 'by all appearances', indicating an assessment based on what is visible or evident.

from the look of it

This idiom suggests a judgment based on visual observation or initial assessment.

superficially

This adverb describes something viewed or understood in a shallow or surface-level manner.

apparently

This adverb indicates something seems to be the case based on available evidence.

ostensibly

This word suggests something is presented as being true, though the underlying reality may be different.

FAQs

How can I use "on its face" in a sentence?

You can use "on its face" to indicate an initial impression or assessment. For example, "On its face it seems reasonable, but further investigation is needed."

What does "on its face" mean?

"On its face" means based on its initial appearance or surface level assessment. It suggests something seems a certain way at first glance.

What can I say instead of "on its face"?

Alternatives to "on its face" include "at first glance", "at face value", or "superficially", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "on its face" in formal writing?

Yes, "on its face" is appropriate for formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its use in reputable sources like The New York Times and academic publications.