sometimes in the face of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometimes in the face of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations where one acts or feels a certain way despite challenges or obstacles present. Example: "She remained optimistic sometimes in the face of adversity, inspiring those around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But he has steadily retreated, sometimes in the face of political opposition, sometimes on his own.

The New York Times

Sometimes, in the face of their sheer persistence, the white enemy tired of warfare and the blacks got in unharmed.

The New York Times - Books

Why do some countries choose to end wars short of total victory while others fight on, sometimes in the face of appalling odds?

Princeton University

This is the firm determination I have, and I am going ahead with reforms, sometimes in the face of severe opposition, but I am determined to do it.

The Economist

Buildings like this have been gradually listed over the last 20 years, sometimes in the face of opposition or public distrust.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its citizens affirmed a local heritage and defied Russian domination by gathering nonviolently to sing, sometimes in the face of Soviet troops.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Participants say online communities like these are often more supportive than their extended families, who sometimes retreat in the face of such overwhelming change.

The New York Times

"A rarity, he is willing to admit mistakes and change positions (sometimes radically) in the face of new evidence," she said.

The New York Times

Given the highly recurrent and progressive course of bipolar disorder sometimes even in the face of conventional treatment, the role and enhanced use of lithium deserves reconsideration.

Nature

What's mysterious about this is that Republicans, generally speaking, pay a great deal of lip service to the intelligence of the market (sometimes even in the face of strong evidence to the contrary).

The New Yorker

"Edward P. Jones is a fiction writer who renders in story a mysterious incongruity of the human experience -- how faith, dignity, and love often survive, and sometimes thrive, in the face of systemic adversity," the foundation said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sometimes in the face of" to acknowledge the presence of opposition or difficulty while highlighting actions taken despite these challenges. This adds nuance and depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sometimes in the face of" when the opposition is insignificant or easily overcome. The phrase implies a notable obstacle that requires resilience or determination to surmount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes in the face of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or noun. It indicates that an action or state occurs despite the presence of challenges or opposition. It suggests a degree of resilience or determination.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sometimes in the face of" serves to acknowledge challenges while emphasizing actions or attitudes that persist despite these obstacles. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this prepositional phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, notably in news and media, academic writing, and scientific discourse. While it carries a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse audiences, it's essential to ensure the opposition is substantial enough to warrant its use. Remember, the phrase implies a degree of resilience, and employing it when the challenge is minimal would diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at times in spite of

Highlights the contrast between the action and the impeding factor. Suggests defiance or intentional disregard.

occasionally despite

Focuses on overcoming the challenge rather than directly confronting it. Emphasizes the action taken regardless of the obstacle.

sometimes defying

Emphasizes the act of resistance against an opposing force.

occasionally contending with

Suggests a struggle to deal with the challenge.

intermittently tackling

Emphasizes that the challenge is being confronted occasionally.

now and then confronting

Emphasizes the sporadic nature of the action when directly opposing something.

from time to time confronting

Highlights the action of meet face-to-face with someone with hostile or argumentative intent.

sporadically despite

Highlights the inconsistent nature of acting independently of an obstruction.

periodically challenged by

Highlights that the action is made with the challenge/obstacle as a counterpart.

at times weathering

Implies enduring and surviving through difficult situations.

FAQs

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

Use "sometimes in the face of" to show that an action is taken despite challenges or obstacles. For example, "She remained optimistic "sometimes in the face of" adversity, inspiring those around her."

What are some alternatives to "sometimes in the face of"?

You can use alternatives like "occasionally despite", "at times in spite of", or "sometimes defying" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include "sometimes" when describing actions in the face of adversity?

No, you can also say "often in the face of", or "usually in the face of" depending on the frequency you want to express. For example, "He persevered "often in the face of" criticism" implies a higher frequency than "He persevered "sometimes in the face of" criticism."

What's the difference between "sometimes in the face of" and "even in the face of"?

"Sometimes in the face of" indicates that the action occurs occasionally despite challenges, while "even in the face of" suggests the action happens despite extreme or unexpected difficulties, emphasizing the surprising nature of the action given the circumstances.