when faced with

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'when faced with' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a particular situation or obstacle that someone has to deal with. Example: When faced with the difficult decision, I wasn't sure which path to take.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The body produces cortisol when faced with stress.

Stanford University

You know what I do when faced with a problem?

The New York Times

Proceed with caution when faced with the hellfire fries.

Independent

"Enforcement is almost impossible when faced with this shield".

The Economist

We the people, when faced with the music, can dance.

The New Yorker

Typically, we close ranks when faced with criticism from outsiders.

The New York Times - Magazine

When faced with serious opponents, however, they demurred.

The Economist

"When faced with the truth, the truth hurts.

The Washington Post

When faced with these requests, what should they do?

Harvard Business Review

Sometimes people do act sensibly when faced with solid evidence.

The New York Times - Health

When faced with problems, they jump quickly to solutions.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what is facing the situation and what the situation entails.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring that the subject immediately following "when faced with" is the one actually facing the situation. For example, instead of 'When faced with a crisis, quick decisions are needed', write 'When faced with a crisis, leaders need to make quick decisions'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when faced with" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a temporal clause, indicating the time or circumstances under which the main action of the sentence occurs. It sets the condition or situation in which the subsequent event takes place, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when faced with" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that introduces a specific condition or scenario. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various writing styles. Its most common usage is in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts. To use it effectively, ensure the sentence structure is clear, avoiding any ambiguity. Alternatives such as "upon encountering" or "in the face of" can add formality, while "confronted with" provides a direct alternative. By understanding its function and common pitfalls, you can confidently integrate "when faced with" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confronted with

Shorter and more direct term to indicate a situation or condition.

when confronted by

Highlights the act of being challenged by something.

when dealing with

Focuses on the process of handling or managing something.

in the face of

Emphasizes confronting something directly, suggesting a challenge or difficulty.

when experiencing

Highlights the act of undergoing or feeling something directly.

upon encountering

Replaces "faced with" with a more formal term for encountering something.

on being presented with

Focuses on the act of receiving or being given something, often a problem or opportunity.

under the conditions of

Emphasizes the specific set of circumstances or requirements that must be met.

given

Shorter and more direct way to indicate a specific situation or condition.

in circumstances involving

Replaces "faced with" with a more formal term for circumstances or situations that are related to something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when faced with" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "upon encountering", "in the face of", or "under the conditions of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "when confronted with" instead of "when faced with"?

Yes, "when confronted with" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "when faced with". Both phrases convey the idea of dealing with a challenge or situation.

What's the difference between "when faced with" and "if faced with"?

"When faced with" implies a situation that is actually happening or has happened, while "if faced with" suggests a hypothetical situation that may or may not occur. Choose the phrase that best reflects the reality or possibility of the situation you're describing.

How do I avoid ambiguity when using "when faced with" in a sentence?

Ensure that the subject of the main clause is clearly the one "facing" the situation. Avoid dangling modifiers by placing the subject immediately after the introductory phrase. For example, avoid "When faced with a problem, a solution must be found", and instead write "When faced with a problem, you must find a solution".