we are presented with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we are presented with' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when the subject is provided with an opportunity or situation, usually one that they must accept, solve, or deal with. For example: "We were presented with an interesting challenge; finding a way to complete the project on time and within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We are presented with a dør schnapps.

The Guardian - Travel

From time to time we are presented with requests from authorities.

The Guardian - Business

But in the lives of writers who last, we are presented with a more complex mystery.

The New York Times - Books

And we are presented with what Professor Zittrain calls the "deadbeat dad" problem.

The New York Times - Tech

Instead we are presented with a little child's response to the suffering – perfectly innocent, perfectly sad.

The Guardian - Arts

Here we are presented with the difference between thinking about something and thinking something.

The Guardian - Books

For a while we are presented with the fanciful idea that her conviction is correct.

The New York Times

Too often we are presented with a false choice: to bomb or not to bomb.

Independent

Every week we are presented with a raft of facts and figures the size of the Isle of Wight.

The Guardian - Sport

When we are presented with a communications challenge we need to think through how we would approach it.

The Guardian

When we are presented with so-called wisdom that lacks this quality, we recognise it as hollow, vacuous, inauthentic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are presented with" to introduce a situation or opportunity that the subject must address or consider. It's useful when the focus is on the act of encountering something new or significant.

Common error

Avoid using "we are presented with" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound weak or evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are presented with" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (we) is the recipient of an action. As shown by Ludwig, it commonly introduces a situation, opportunity, or challenge that is being encountered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we are presented with" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a situation or opportunity that the subject must consider. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive construction functions to emphasize that the subject is receiving or encountering something. It's generally neutral in register, making it suitable for professional, academic, and news-related contexts. While alternatives like "we face" or "we encounter" exist, "we are presented with" specifically highlights the act of being given or shown something, which can shape the overall tone and focus of your writing. The phrase is very frequently used in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are confronted with

Highlights the challenging aspect of the situation.

something is presented to us

Reverses the sentence structure, keeping a similar meaning.

we are given

Similar to 'we receive' but more direct and simple.

something is offered to us

Highlights that something is being intentionally provided.

we receive

Emphasizes the act of being given or granted something.

we are met with

Suggests a response or reaction to something.

we encounter

Focuses on the act of facing or meeting something.

we are shown

Focuses on the act of being revealed or demonstrated something.

we face

Highlights the aspect of confronting a situation or challenge.

we experience

Highlights the personal aspect of undergoing or feeling something.

FAQs

How can I use "we are presented with" in a sentence?

Use "we are presented with" to indicate that you or a group is encountering a situation, opportunity, or challenge. For example, "We are presented with a unique opportunity to expand our market share."

What's a more direct alternative to "we are presented with"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "we face", "we encounter", or "we receive" to express the same idea more actively.

When is it best to use "we are presented with" over "we face"?

"We are presented with" is best when emphasizing that something is being given or offered. "We face" is more appropriate when highlighting a challenge or difficulty to overcome.

Is "we are presented with" formal or informal?

"We are presented with" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is appropriate for professional, academic, and news contexts. For more informal situations, simpler alternatives might be more suitable.