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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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slack face

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'slack face' is not correct or usable in written English.
It is not a recognized phrase in the English language so it cannot be used.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Eykelboom walked around doing the same thing, sucking in his belly, sticking out his chest, atop which stood the same long neck, slack face, flattop haircut.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

My nephew, my sister had told me, wanted to keep things low-key, wanted to avoid the roomful of slack faces and well-meaning condolences should things not go as hoped.

Instead we get a blank slate, slack faced version of the actor, which starts out bland, but gradually dredges up a few interesting dramatic resources for a man without much of anything going on internally.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Much of the slack from face-to-face professor time is taken up by advanced students who volunteer to tutor their peers, in exchange for prestige and warm fuzzy feelings.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Weiss, who was previously at Foursquare, is working on probably one of the most complicated and important problems Slack might face: jumping from a massive set of chat rooms to something that operates functionally as a base of operations for an entire organization.

News & Media

TechCrunch

He gazed into his client's slack-jawed face.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The wife of the Speaker of the House of Commons (and one-time Labour candidate) does, on the otherwise spray-tanned, slack-jawed face of it, add gravitas.

News & Media

Independent

The move comes at a time when Slack is facing new competition from Microsoft and Facebook, who have each launched their own rival products in recent weeks.

News & Media

TechCrunch

But Slack also faces increasing competition as time goes on, not only from the traditional companies looking to build more robust but simpler tools, but also from companies that have spent a lot of time working on collaboration tools and are now exploring communication.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Then he lurches to his feet, shifts what must be fossilized bones, clears his slack gullet, glances from face to face to face to face, and waits what must be a Julian light-year before he says this: "My friends, the world ain't set up for guys like us to win, but that's all the more reason to win".

News & Media

Vice

Then he lurches to his feet, shifts what must be fossilised bones, clears his slack gullet, glances from face to face to face to face, and waits what must be a Julian light-year before he says this: "My friends, the world ain't set up for guys like us to win, but that's all the more reason to win".

News & Media

Vice
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more descriptive and grammatically sound alternatives like "expressionless face", "blank face", or "relaxed face" to convey the intended meaning more effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "slack" as a general adjective for a face, as it typically implies a loss of muscle tone or control. If you mean to describe a lack of expression or focus, choose a more appropriate term.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slack face" functions as a noun phrase, attempting to describe the state of a face. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as an incorrect or unusable phrase in standard written English. While "slack" can modify other nouns (e.g., "slack jaw"), its application to "face" alone is uncommon.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "slack face" attempts to describe a relaxed or unresponsive facial expression, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and rarely used in standard English. It is more effective to use alternatives like "expressionless face", "blank face", or "relaxed face" to convey the intended meaning with greater clarity and accuracy. Though it appears in reputable sources like The New Yorker and The New York Times, its infrequent usage suggests it is not a preferred or widely accepted expression. Therefore, writers should exercise caution and opt for more conventional phrasing.

FAQs

How can I describe a face that lacks expression?

Instead of "slack face", consider using phrases like "expressionless face", "blank face", or "unreadable face". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "slack face" grammatically correct?

While the individual words are valid, "slack face" is not a standard or widely accepted phrase in English. Ludwig AI indicates that it's not a recognized phrase.

What's the difference between a "slack face" and a "relaxed face"?

A "relaxed face" implies a lack of tension or stress, while "slack face" suggests a loss of muscle tone or a drooping appearance. They are not interchangeable.

Can "slack" be used to describe other facial features?

Yes, "slack" can be used to describe other facial features, such as a "slack jaw" or "slack mouth", to indicate looseness or a lack of tension in those specific areas.

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: