serious face

USAGE SUMMARY

"serious face" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a facial expression when someone is serious or not taking a situation lightly. For example, "When I told my boss about our mistake, he gave me a serious face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Serious face.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Spicer made a serious face.

The New Yorker

Kendall specialized in a serious face.

The New Yorker

Ellie listened, and watched him with her serious face.

The New Yorker

"Of course," he said, putting on a serious face.

The New York Times

The serious face he presents now looks like his own.

The Guardian

They already guessed that my serious face didn't bode well.

The Guardian

She gets this serious face and says: 'Really?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Most of them avoid my office and any kind of serious face-to-face social interaction.

Huffington Post

A very lucky computer geek got some serious face -sucking) time in this sexily awkward GoDaddy Super Bowl ad.

Huffington Post

When saying good luck, say--with a serious face "May the odds be ever in your favour.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious face" to succinctly describe someone's expression when they are being earnest, thoughtful, or disapproving. It's effective in narrative writing and character descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "serious face" excessively to describe a character's expression during dialogue. Instead, vary your descriptions with other sensory details or action beats to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious face" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a direct object or a subject complement. It describes a specific facial expression indicating gravity, focus, or concern. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious face" is a common noun phrase used to describe a facial expression indicating gravity, focus, or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability in both formal and informal contexts. While primarily found in News & Media, it also appears in Wiki and Formal & Business contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider "solemn expression" or "grave countenance". When employing this phrase in writing, remember to avoid overuse, particularly in dialogue, to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solemn expression

Replaces "face" with "expression", emphasizing the overall look rather than just the facial features. Also, "solemn" can further emphasize the gravity of the facial expression.

grave countenance

Substitutes both "serious" and "face" with more formal and literary terms, altering the register of the phrase.

stern look

Replaces "serious face" with a phrase that highlights the intensity and disapproval conveyed by the facial expression.

somber visage

Uses "somber" to emphasize sadness and replaces "face" with "visage", a more formal term.

earnest expression

Emphasizes sincerity and intentness rather than severity. Also, substitutes "face" with "expression".

determined look

Shifts the focus to resolve and purpose, instead of gravity, offering a similar but slightly different meaning.

focused gaze

Moves away from the overall facial expression to concentrate on the eyes, implying concentration.

concerned expression

Suggests worry or anxiety, changing the emotional context of the facial expression.

thoughtful face

Indicates contemplation or deep thinking, which is similar, but highlights the mental state more than the emotional one.

intense stare

Focuses on the intensity of the gaze, rather than the overall facial expression.

FAQs

How can I describe someone who looks serious?

You can use phrases like "solemn expression", "grave countenance", or simply say they had a "stern look" depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone has a "serious face"?

It usually indicates they are focused, concerned, or not taking a situation lightly. The specific meaning can depend on the surrounding context and the person's usual demeanor.

Is it appropriate to tell someone they have a "serious face"?

It depends on your relationship with the person and the situation. If you're concerned, it might be okay. Otherwise, it could be perceived as critical or judgmental. Consider asking if they're alright instead.

What are some less formal ways to say "serious face"?

Depending on the context, you could say someone looks "thoughtful face", "concerned expression", or even just "intense".