to be confronted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be confronted with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where someone faces a challenge, problem, or difficult circumstance. Example: "When I was confronted with the unexpected news, I had to take a moment to process my emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's demoralizing to be confronted with such criticism and aggressions.

The New Yorker

She hates to be confronted with how she has become, as she calls it, "stupid".

The New York Times

We sometimes go to the movies to be confronted with painful facts of life.

The New York Times

"We are going to be confronted with this situation more and more often," Mr. Reithofer said.

The New York Times

It's quite another to be confronted with what it actually looks like.

The New York Times - Arts

The clause gives a criminal defendant the right "to be confronted with the witnesses against him".

The New York Times

"I know that no police officer wants to be confronted with an assault weapon," he said.

The New York Times

"To be confronted with this on Sunday afternoon, to me it was a test," Nelson said.

The Guardian

Authority was there to be confronted, with a brazen and sometimes disastrous daring.

The Guardian

And some audiences simply don't like to be confronted with something challenging on the opera stage.

The Guardian - Music

They are also not expecting to be confronted with whooping cough.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be confronted with" when you want to emphasize a sense of challenge, surprise, or unexpectedness in encountering a situation or problem. It's more impactful than simply saying "to face" or "to encounter".

Common error

While "to be confronted with" is a valid passive construction, avoid overusing it. Sometimes, an active voice construction (e.g., "The team confronted the challenge") can be more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be confronted with" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is on the receiving end of an encounter, often with a challenge or problem. Ludwig shows that is a correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be confronted with" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe facing a challenge or unexpected situation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. While predominantly found in news and media and scientific sources, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. When writing, consider emphasizing the element of surprise or challenge that this phrase implies, and be mindful of overusing passive voice. Alternatives like "to face" or "to encounter" can offer more directness when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be faced with

A passive construction emphasizing the state of having to deal with something.

to face

Simpler and more direct, focusing on the act of encountering without the element of surprise or challenge.

to be up against

Emphasizes the challenge or opposition one is facing, highlighting the difficulty of the situation.

to encounter

Highlights the act of meeting something, often unexpectedly, but can lack the sense of opposition.

to come up against

Suggests a more forceful or resistant encounter, implying an obstacle.

to run into

Suggests an unexpected encounter, often implying a problem or difficulty.

to be presented with

Focuses on the act of something being offered or shown, rather than necessarily a challenge.

to grapple with

Emphasizes the struggle and effort involved in dealing with something difficult.

to deal with

A general term for handling or managing a situation, lacking the intensity of confrontation.

to meet

A basic term for encountering, often used for people but applicable to situations without implying conflict.

FAQs

What does "to be confronted with" mean?

The phrase "to be confronted with" means to encounter a problem, difficulty, or challenge, often unexpectedly. It suggests a situation that requires a response or action.

How can I use "to be confronted with" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe how someone or something faces a challenge, such as: "The company was "faced with" unexpected financial difficulties."

What are some alternatives to "to be confronted with"?

Alternatives include "to face", "to encounter", "to be faced with", or "to come up against", depending on the specific context.

Is "to be confronted with" formal or informal?

The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "to face" might be preferred.