to face adversity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to face adversity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or difficult situations that someone encounters in life or work. Example: "In her journey to success, she had to face adversity and overcome numerous obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"That is a real example of how to face adversity".

Independent

"We understand how to face adversity and suck it up".

The New York Times

That ability to face adversity with humor did not miraculously appear after the stock market debacle.

The New York Times

They've given us all a lesson of how to face adversity in life and football".

The Guardian - Sport

You are the people who taught me how to face adversity head on, and for that I am beyond grateful.

The New Yorker

Why was I disabling myself – entombing my body in a fat suit – when there were so many people here who had to face adversity?" he said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

We know that high-impact companies are able to constantly face adversity and navigate changes in markets, technology and competition over extended periods of time (years – not months!).

TechCrunch

There were promises to "stay strong" and "face adversity" but no real insight into what might have been done better.

Independent

People face adversity and personal setbacks.

Stanford University

By following their mission, partnering with communities of survivors and applying creative product development, Thistle Farms developed a new purposeful product that's also providing work to women facing adversity.

Forbes

All four women agreed that it's always harder to be the first to challenge or to be alone facing adversity, and finding and building a community is critical to becoming and sustaining leadership positions.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to face adversity" when you want to emphasize the act of confronting challenges directly and with resilience.

Common error

While "to face adversity" is a valid phrase, avoid using it repetitively in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "to overcome obstacles" or "to deal with hardship" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to face adversity" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to describe an action or capability. As Ludwig AI notes, it's grammatically sound and commonly used to express the act of confronting challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Huffington Post

23%

Los Angeles Times

13%

Less common in

BMC Palliative Care

2%

Science Magazine

2%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to face adversity" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to describe the act of confronting challenges with resilience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used and understood. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "to overcome obstacles" or "to deal with hardship" to maintain writing clarity and engagement. Its frequent appearance in news and media reflects its relevance in describing real-world situations where individuals and groups encounter and manage difficulties. Understanding its function, purpose, and register allows for effective and impactful use in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to confront difficulties

Replaces "adversity" with "difficulties", focusing on the challenging aspect.

to overcome obstacles

Emphasizes the act of surpassing challenges rather than just facing them.

to deal with hardship

Uses "hardship" as a synonym for adversity, highlighting the suffering involved.

to brave challenges

Highlights the courage required to face difficult situations.

to withstand trials

Focuses on enduring and surviving difficult experiences.

to manage setbacks

Implies a more controlled approach to handling negative events.

to navigate difficulties

Suggests a strategic approach to maneuver through tough situations.

to grapple with challenges

Implies a struggle or intense effort to overcome difficulties.

to weather the storm

A more metaphorical way to describe surviving a period of adversity.

to rise above misfortune

Focuses on the act of elevating oneself beyond unfortunate circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "to face adversity" in a sentence?

You can use "to face adversity" to describe someone's ability to handle difficult situations. For example, "Her determination allowed her "to face adversity" with courage".

What are some alternatives to "to face adversity"?

Some alternatives include "to confront difficulties", "to overcome obstacles", or "to deal with hardship", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "face adversity" or "facing adversity"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have different uses. "Face adversity" is typically used in the infinitive form with "to", while "facing adversity" is a gerund or present participle form, often used as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "They are facing adversity").

What does it mean to have the ability "to face adversity"?

Having the ability "to face adversity" means possessing the resilience, courage, and determination to confront and overcome challenges, setbacks, and difficult circumstances in life.