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B1 noun and verb #42 mais comum 13 min de leitura

faces

Top 42

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas faces em 30 segundos

Explicação faces in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'faces' is mostly used as a plural noun to talk about the parts of the body. You learn words like 'eyes,' 'nose,' and 'mouth,' and 'faces' is the word for the whole front of the head for more than one person. For example, 'The babies have small faces.' It is a very simple, concrete word. You might also see it in very basic descriptions of where things are, like 'The house faces the sun,' although this is usually introduced a bit later. At this stage, the focus is on recognizing the word in pictures and simple sentences about people and their appearances. You might use it when describing a photo of your family: 'Look at their happy faces!' It is one of the first 500 words most students learn because it is so essential for describing humans.

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At the A2 level, you start to use 'faces' in more varied ways. You still use it for people's faces, but you might describe them more, like 'She saw many smiling faces in the classroom.' You also begin to use 'faces' as a verb to describe the position of buildings or objects. For example, 'My bedroom faces the garden.' This is useful for giving directions or describing your home. You might also encounter the word in simple stories where a character 'faces' a small problem, like 'He faces a long walk home.' The idea of 'facing' something as a challenge begins to appear, but it is usually very literal. You are expanding your ability to use the word in both its noun and verb forms in everyday situations.

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At the B1 level, 'faces' becomes a key word for discussing problems and challenges. This is the level where you move beyond just physical descriptions. You will often hear and use 'faces' to describe a person or a company dealing with a difficult situation. For example, 'The company faces many challenges this year.' This is a very common way to talk about life's difficulties. You also learn common phrases and idioms, like 'face to face' (meeting someone in person) or 'to face the music' (to accept the consequences). You can use 'faces' to describe the different sides of an issue: 'There are many faces to this problem.' Your understanding of the word is now more abstract and flexible, allowing you to participate in more complex conversations about work, society, and personal feelings.

At the B2 level, you use 'faces' with more precision and in more formal contexts. You might use it in an essay to describe a social issue: 'The government faces intense criticism over its new policy.' Here, 'faces' sounds more professional than 'has.' You also understand the geometric use of 'faces' in technical or academic descriptions, such as 'The crystal faces are perfectly aligned.' You are comfortable with the word in various registers, from casual talk to formal reports. You might also use it to describe the 'many faces' of a famous person, meaning their different roles or personalities. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you can choose 'faces' over simpler words like 'looks at' or 'has' to make your English sound more natural and sophisticated.

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At the C1 level, you recognize the subtle nuances of 'faces.' You understand how it can be used to personify abstract concepts, such as 'The nation faces a moral crisis.' You are also familiar with less common idioms and literary uses. You might use 'faces' to describe the orientation of complex structures or in scientific contexts where precision is key. You can distinguish between 'faces' and its synonyms like 'confronts' or 'encounters' and choose the one that fits the exact 'flavor' of the sentence. For instance, you might use 'faces' for an ongoing situation and 'confronts' for a specific, active moment of meeting a challenge. Your use of the word is effortless, and you can use it to add depth and variety to your speaking and writing.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'faces' in all its forms. You can use it in highly specialized fields, such as geometry, architecture, or psychology, with perfect accuracy. You might use it in a philosophical sense, discussing the 'faces' we show to the world versus our true selves. You are also aware of the etymological roots of the word and how it has evolved in English. You can use it in complex rhetorical structures, such as 'The challenges the city faces are as numerous as the faces of its citizens.' Your command of the word allows you to use it creatively and powerfully, whether you are writing a technical paper, a piece of fiction, or delivering a formal speech. You understand every idiomatic nuance and can use the word to convey subtle irony or emphasis.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

faces em 30 segundos

Faces functions as both the plural noun for human visages and the surfaces of geometric shapes, and as a third-person singular verb for orientation.
As a verb, it commonly describes a building's physical direction or a person's psychological confrontation with a difficult situation or an upcoming challenge.
In geometry, the word is essential for describing the flat planes of three-dimensional solids, such as the six faces of a standard playing die.
The word is frequently found in idioms like 'face the music' and is a staple of news reporting when describing institutional or political challenges.

The word faces is a remarkably versatile term in the English language, functioning both as a plural noun and a third-person singular verb. At its most fundamental level as a noun, it refers to the front part of the human head from the forehead to the chin, encompassing the eyes, nose, and mouth. However, its utility extends far beyond biology. In geometry and physical space, 'faces' refers to the flat surfaces of a three-dimensional object, such as the six faces of a cube. This transition from the biological to the structural highlights how English often uses human anatomy to describe the physical world. When we move into the realm of the verb, 'faces' describes the action of looking in a particular direction or, more abstractly, the act of confronting a situation, person, or challenge. It implies an orientation—either physical or psychological—toward something that requires attention or acknowledgment.

Anatomical Context: In a crowded room, you might see many familiar faces. Here, it represents the unique identity of individuals as expressed through their features.

The mountain climber faces the steep cliff with a mixture of fear and determination.

People use 'faces' as a verb to indicate positioning. If a house faces the ocean, its front is oriented toward the water. This usage is essential in architecture and navigation. In a more metaphorical sense, 'faces' is used when someone is dealing with an inevitable reality. When a student faces an exam, they are not just looking at a paper; they are encountering a challenge that tests their knowledge. This dual nature of the word—representing both the observer and the act of observing or confronting—makes it a cornerstone of daily communication. Whether discussing the many faces of a political issue or how a building faces the sun, the word provides a bridge between the physical and the conceptual.

Geometric Context: A pyramid has several triangular faces that meet at a single point called the apex.

She faces the mirror every morning to prepare for the day ahead.

Furthermore, 'faces' appears in social contexts to describe the variety of people within a group. 'New faces' in an organization refers to new employees or members. This usage highlights the face as the primary symbol of human presence and individuality. In literature and media, 'the many faces of' a character or a concept refers to different aspects or personas. For example, one might discuss the many faces of London, referring to its diverse neighborhoods and histories. This richness of meaning ensures that 'faces' is one of the most frequently used words in both descriptive and narrative English.

Metaphorical Context: The company faces bankruptcy if it cannot secure new funding by the end of the fiscal year.

The clock faces the classroom so all students can see the time.

The dice have six faces, each marked with a different number of dots.

He faces a difficult choice between staying in his hometown or moving abroad.

Using faces correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role in a sentence. As a noun, it follows the rules of pluralization. You might say, 'The children had happy faces after the party.' Here, 'faces' is the direct object of the verb 'had.' It describes a physical state. When used as a verb, 'faces' must agree with a singular subject in the present tense. For instance, 'The hotel faces the beach.' In this sentence, 'the hotel' is the singular subject, and 'faces' is the action of being oriented toward the beach. This distinction is vital for learners to master, as confusing the noun and verb forms can lead to structural errors.

Subject-Verb Agreement: The athlete faces her opponent with confidence. (Singular subject 'athlete' + 'faces')

A cube faces us with its front side while the others are hidden.

In more complex sentences, 'faces' can be part of a prepositional phrase or a subordinate clause. Consider the sentence: 'The challenges that he faces are significant.' Here, 'faces' is the verb within the relative clause 'that he faces,' which modifies the noun 'challenges.' This demonstrates how the word can be embedded within larger structures to provide specific details about a subject's situation. Furthermore, 'faces' can be used in the passive voice, though it is less common than the active voice. For example, 'The reality that is faced by many is harsh.' However, using 'faces' in the active voice—'Many people face a harsh reality'—is generally more direct and preferred in standard English.

Plural Noun Usage: The crowd was a sea of anonymous faces, none of which he recognized.

Every morning, the sunflowers faces the rising sun to maximize their light absorption.

Another important aspect of using 'faces' is its role in idiomatic expressions. While the word itself is simple, its placement in phrases like 'faces the music' or 'faces the facts' changes its meaning to something more specific. In these cases, 'faces' acts as a functional verb that triggers a figurative interpretation. For instance, 'He faces the music' means he is accepting the unpleasant consequences of his actions. When teaching or learning this word, it is helpful to practice it in these various contexts—physical orientation, plural identification, and metaphorical confrontation—to build a robust understanding of its syntactic flexibility.

Descriptive Usage: The rock formation has several flat faces that are perfect for climbing.

The detective faces a wall of silence when questioning the witnesses.

The moon always faces the Earth with the same side due to tidal locking.

She faces the reality that her vacation is finally over.

In everyday life, you will hear the word faces in a variety of settings, from casual conversations to professional news broadcasts. In a social setting, someone might remark on the 'new faces' at a party, or a parent might tell a child to 'wash their faces' (if speaking to multiple children). On the news, journalists frequently use the verb form to describe political or economic situations. A reporter might say, 'The Prime Minister faces mounting pressure to resign,' or 'The economy faces a recession in the coming months.' This usage conveys a sense of impending challenge or a situation that cannot be ignored. It is a staple of journalistic language because it personifies abstract entities like 'the economy' or 'the government,' making the news more relatable and dramatic.

In News and Media: 'The city faces a water shortage after the long drought.' This emphasizes the direct impact of the environment on the population.

The actor faces the camera and delivers a powerful monologue.

In the world of sports, commentators use 'faces' to describe matchups. 'In the next round, the defending champion faces a rising star from Italy.' Here, 'faces' serves as a synonym for 'competes against' or 'plays.' It creates a visual of two opponents standing opposite each other, ready for battle. Similarly, in film and literature, the 'faces' of characters are often described to convey emotion or hidden depths. A movie review might mention the 'expressive faces' of the cast, highlighting the importance of non-verbal communication in storytelling. The word is also common in the tech world, particularly in 'facial recognition' technology, where the 'faces' of users are scanned and analyzed for security purposes.

In Sports and Competition: The team faces its toughest rival in the championship game this Sunday.

He faces the audience and bows after his performance.

Furthermore, 'faces' is a key term in psychology and sociology when discussing 'the many faces of' a social issue, like poverty or addiction. This implies that the issue is complex and presents itself in different ways to different people. In a classroom, a teacher might ask students to identify the 'faces' of a geometric solid, reinforcing the mathematical definition. Whether it's a doctor looking at the 'faces' of patients in a waiting room or an engineer examining the 'faces' of a crystal under a microscope, the word is ubiquitous. Its ability to shift from the literal to the figurative makes it an indispensable part of the English lexicon, heard in every corner of society.

In Science and Math: A dodecahedron is a geometric shape that has twelve pentagonal faces.

The company faces a lawsuit regarding its environmental impact.

She faces the challenge of learning a new language in just three months.

The building faces North, so it doesn't get much direct sunlight.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with faces is confusing its noun and verb forms in terms of subject-verb agreement. For example, a student might say, 'They faces many problems.' This is incorrect because 'they' is a plural subject, and 'faces' is the third-person singular verb form. The correct sentence would be 'They face many problems.' Conversely, using 'face' with a singular subject—'He face the window'—is also a common error. It must be 'He faces the window.' Mastering this 's' at the end of the verb for singular subjects (he, she, it) is a fundamental hurdle in English grammar that 'faces' perfectly illustrates.

Subject-Verb Mismatch: Incorrect: 'The team faces their fans.' (Wait, 'team' can be singular or plural depending on dialect, but usually 'The team faces' is correct in US English, while 'The team face' might be heard in UK English. However, 'He face' is always wrong.)

Incorrect: He face the truth. Correct: He faces the truth.

Another mistake involves the confusion between 'faces' and 'phases.' While they sound somewhat similar, their meanings are entirely different. 'Phases' refers to stages in a process (e.g., the phases of the moon), while 'faces' refers to surfaces or the act of confronting. Saying 'The project is in its final faces' is a common malapropism; it should be 'final phases.' Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the preposition that follows 'faces' as a verb. While 'faces' often takes a direct object ('He faces the wall'), it can sometimes be confused with 'is facing toward' or 'faces to.' In most cases, the direct object is sufficient and more natural: 'The house faces the park,' not 'The house faces to the park.'

Phonetic Confusion: 'Faces' /feɪsɪz/ vs. 'Phases' /feɪzɪz/. The 's' sound in faces is unvoiced, while the 'z' sound in phases is voiced.

Incorrect: The moon has different faces. Correct: The moon has different phases (though it does have a 'face' metaphorically!).

Finally, there is the issue of countability. As a noun, 'faces' is the plural of 'face.' However, in some abstract contexts, people might try to use it as an uncountable noun. For example, 'There was much faces in the crowd' is incorrect. It should be 'There were many faces in the crowd.' Because 'face' is a countable noun, it must always be used with 'many' rather than 'much.' Understanding these nuances—from phonetic similarity to grammatical agreement and countability—will help learners use 'faces' with the precision of a native speaker.

Preposition Errors: Avoid: 'She faces with the problem.' Use: 'She faces the problem.'

The statue faces the town square, watching over the people.

The diamond has many faces that catch the light beautifully.

He faces the reality of his situation with a brave heart.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to explore synonyms and alternatives for faces. Depending on whether you are using it as a noun or a verb, different words can provide more specific meaning. As a noun referring to the human face, 'countenance' is a more formal and literary term that often describes the expression or character of a person's face. 'Visage' is another formal synonym, frequently used in poetry or classical literature. If you are referring to the 'faces' of an object, 'surfaces,' 'sides,' or 'facets' (especially for gems) are excellent alternatives. 'Facets' is particularly useful because it also has a metaphorical meaning, referring to the different aspects of a complex situation.

Noun Alternatives

Countenance: 'His stern countenance intimidated the students.'
Surfaces: 'The box has six smooth surfaces.'
Facets: 'We must consider all facets of the problem.'

The explorer confronts the unknown dangers of the jungle.

As a verb, 'faces' can be replaced by 'confronts,' 'encounters,' or 'deals with' when the meaning is metaphorical. 'Confronts' implies a more direct and perhaps aggressive meeting with a problem, while 'encounters' suggests a more neutral or unexpected meeting. If 'faces' is used to describe physical orientation, 'looks toward,' 'fronts,' or 'is opposite to' can be used. For example, 'The house fronts the park' is a more formal way of saying 'The house faces the park.' In a competitive context, 'faces' can be replaced by 'takes on' or 'competes against.' Choosing the right alternative depends on the tone you want to set—formal, technical, or casual.

Verb Alternatives

Confronts: 'She confronts her fears head-on.'
Looks toward: 'The window looks toward the garden.'
Takes on: 'The champion takes on the challenger.'

The project encounters several delays due to bad weather.

Understanding these comparisons helps in avoiding repetition. If you are writing an essay about a person's life, you might use 'faces' once, 'confronts' later, and 'deals with' in another paragraph to keep the writing engaging. Similarly, in technical descriptions, switching between 'faces' and 'surfaces' can clarify whether you are talking about the orientation of a part or its physical texture. By expanding your toolkit of similar words, you gain the ability to express subtle differences in intensity and context, which is a hallmark of advanced language proficiency.

Comparison: Faces vs. Confronts: 'Faces' is neutral and can be physical or metaphorical. 'Confronts' is more active and often implies a struggle or a deliberate action to solve a problem.

The building fronts the main street of the village.

He deals with many difficult customers in his job.

The many facets of the diamond reflect the light in every direction.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word 'facet,' used for the sides of a diamond, is a diminutive of 'face,' literally meaning 'little face.'

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈfeɪ.sɪz/

US /ˈfeɪ.səz/

The stress is on the first syllable: FAY-ces.

Rima com

Places Traces Races Cases Graces Bases Spaces Paces

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 's' in the middle as a 'z' (it should be an 's' sound).
Confusing the ending with 'phases' (/ˈfeɪ.zɪz/).
Dropping the final 's' sound entirely.
Over-emphasizing the second syllable.
Pronouncing the 'a' as a short 'a' like in 'cat'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

The word is common and easy to recognize in text, though metaphorical uses require more focus.

Escrita 3/5

Requires correct subject-verb agreement and knowledge of pluralization.

Expressão oral 3/5

The pronunciation of the final 's' and 'z' sounds can be tricky for some learners.

Audição 2/5

Easily understood in context, though it can be confused with 'phases'.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

Face Head Look Problem Side

Aprenda a seguir

Confront Surface Aspect Dilemma Perspective

Avançado

Countenance Visage Facet Polyhedron Paradigm

Gramática essencial

Subject-Verb Agreement

He faces (singular) vs. They face (plural).

Plural Nouns

One face, two faces.

Transitive Verbs

'Faces' often takes a direct object: 'She faces the problem.'

Compound Adjectives

Using 'facing' in compounds like 'south-facing'.

Prepositional Phrases

Using 'face to face' as an adverbial phrase.

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Exemplos por nível

The children have happy faces.

Los niños tienen caras felices.

Plural noun 'faces' follows the adjective 'happy'.

He washes his faces.

Él se lava las caras (Note: usually singular 'face' unless metaphorical).

Usually 'face' is singular for one person; 'faces' is plural for many people.

Look at the faces in the photo.

Mira las caras en la foto.

Noun 'faces' is the object of the preposition 'at'.

The doll has two faces.

La muñeca tiene dos caras.

Plural noun used with the number 'two'.

The house faces the street.

La casa da a la calle.

Third-person singular verb 'faces' with the subject 'house'.

She faces the sun.

Ella mira hacia el sol.

Verb 'faces' indicates physical orientation.

We see many faces today.

Vemos muchas caras hoy.

Plural noun 'faces' modified by 'many'.

The cat faces the dog.

El gato se enfrenta al perro.

Verb 'faces' showing two subjects looking at each other.

The hotel faces the blue sea.

El hotel da al mar azul.

Verb 'faces' used for architectural orientation.

She faces a big test tomorrow.

Ella se enfrenta a un gran examen mañana.

Metaphorical use of 'faces' for a challenge.

The cube has six square faces.

El cubo tiene seis caras cuadradas.

Geometric use of 'faces' as a noun.

He faces the window while he works.

Él mira hacia la ventana mientras trabaja.

Verb 'faces' showing a habitual action.

There are many new faces in our class.

Hay muchas caras nuevas en nuestra clase.

Noun 'faces' used to mean 'people'.

The mountain faces the north.

La montaña da al norte.

Verb 'faces' used for geographical direction.

The clock faces the students.

El reloj está de frente a los estudiantes.

Verb 'faces' indicating the direction of an object.

She faces her fear of spiders.

Ella se enfrenta a su miedo a las arañas.

Abstract use of 'faces' as a verb.

The company faces a difficult financial year.

La empresa se enfrenta a un año financiero difícil.

Verb 'faces' used in a professional/business context.

We need to talk face to face.

Necesitamos hablar cara a cara.

Idiomatic phrase 'face to face' (though 'faces' is plural, the idiom is singular).

He faces the music after breaking the vase.

Él asume las consecuencias después de romper el jarrón.

Idiomatic verb 'faces the music'.

The town faces a shortage of clean water.

El pueblo se enfrenta a una escasez de agua limpia.

Verb 'faces' describing a community problem.

She faces the challenge with a smile.

Ella se enfrenta al desafío con una sonrisa.

Verb 'faces' combined with a prepositional phrase 'with a smile'.

The many faces of the city are fascinating.

Las muchas caras de la ciudad son fascinantes.

Metaphorical noun 'faces' meaning 'aspects'.

The player faces his opponent in the final.

El jugador se enfrenta a su oponente en la final.

Verb 'faces' used in a sports context.

The building faces away from the noisy road.

El edificio da hacia el lado opuesto de la carretera ruidosa.

Verb 'faces' with the adverb 'away'.

The government faces mounting pressure to change the law.

El gobierno se enfrenta a una presión creciente para cambiar la ley.

Verb 'faces' used with a complex noun phrase object.

Each of the crystal's faces reflects light differently.

Cada una de las caras del cristal refleja la luz de manera diferente.

Possessive noun 'crystal's' modifying 'faces'.

He faces a dilemma that could change his life.

Él se enfrenta a un dilema que podría cambiar su vida.

Verb 'faces' followed by a relative clause.

The project faces several technical hurdles.

El proyecto se enfrenta a varios obstáculos técnicos.

Verb 'faces' in a technical/work context.

The artist captured the many faces of the refugees.

El artista capturó las muchas caras de los refugiados.

Noun 'faces' used to evoke empathy and individuality.

The school faces a budget cut next semester.

La escuela se enfrenta a un recorte presupuestario el próximo semestre.

Verb 'faces' used for institutional challenges.

She faces the truth about her past mistakes.

Ella se enfrenta a la verdad sobre sus errores pasados.

Verb 'faces' used for psychological realization.

The stadium faces the river, providing a great view.

El estadio da al río, ofreciendo una gran vista.

Verb 'faces' used in a descriptive architectural sense.

The industry faces a paradigm shift due to AI.

La industria se enfrenta a un cambio de paradigma debido a la IA.

Verb 'faces' used with high-level academic vocabulary.

The intricate faces of the clockwork mechanism were visible.

Las intrincadas caras del mecanismo de relojería eran visibles.

Noun 'faces' used in a precise mechanical context.

The candidate faces a barrage of questions from the press.

El candidato se enfrenta a una ráfaga de preguntas de la prensa.

Verb 'faces' used with a metaphorical noun 'barrage'.

The poem explores the many faces of grief.

El poema explora las muchas caras del duelo.

Metaphorical noun 'faces' in a literary context.

The south-facing slope of the mountain is warmer.

La ladera de la montaña que da al sur es más cálida.

Compound adjective 'south-facing' (related to the verb 'faces').

He faces the prospect of a long prison sentence.

Él se enfrenta a la perspectiva de una larga condena de prisión.

Verb 'faces' followed by 'the prospect of'.

The organization faces a crisis of leadership.

La organización se enfrenta a una crisis de liderazgo.

Verb 'faces' describing an internal institutional problem.

The diamond's faces were cut with extreme precision.

Las caras del diamante fueron cortadas con extrema precisión.

Noun 'faces' used in a specialized craft context.

The theory faces rigorous scrutiny from the scientific community.

La teoría se enfrenta a un escrutinio riguroso de la comunidad científica.

Verb 'faces' used in a high-level academic context.

The multifaceted nature of the problem faces us with a unique challenge.

La naturaleza polifacética del problema nos enfrenta a un desafío único.

Verb 'faces' used in a causative-like structure 'faces us with'.

The city's architecture faces the past while embracing the future.

La arquitectura de la ciudad mira al pasado mientras abraza el futuro.

Verb 'faces' used metaphorically for temporal orientation.

She faces the existential reality of her own mortality.

Ella se enfrenta a la realidad existencial de su propia mortalidad.

Verb 'faces' used in a philosophical context.

The faces of the polyhedron were mapped using advanced algorithms.

Las caras del poliedro fueron mapeadas usando algoritmos avanzados.

Noun 'faces' in a computational geometry context.

The diplomat faces the daunting task of negotiating a peace treaty.

El diplomático se enfrenta a la desalentadora tarea de negociar un tratado de paz.

Verb 'faces' used with the adjective 'daunting'.

The faces of the victims haunt the detective's memories.

Las caras de las víctimas persiguen los recuerdos del detective.

Noun 'faces' used in a psychological/narrative sense.

The company faces an uphill battle against its competitors.

La empresa se enfrenta a una batalla cuesta arriba contra sus competidores.

Idiomatic verb phrase 'faces an uphill battle'.

Colocações comuns

faces a challenge

faces the music

faces the sea

faces the truth

familiar faces

many faces

faces a crisis

faces the sun

faces an opponent

faces the consequences

Frases Comuns

New faces

— People who have recently joined a group or arrived in a place. It is often used in schools or workplaces.

There are several new faces in the office this morning.

Smiling faces

— A common way to describe a happy group of people. It emphasizes the positive atmosphere.

The teacher was greeted by twenty smiling faces.

Faces the facts

— To accept the reality of a situation, even if it is unpleasant. It implies a shift from denial to acceptance.

It's time she faces the facts and starts looking for a new job.

Faces the wall

— A literal description of someone or something positioned toward a wall. It can also imply being in a corner or punished.

The desk faces the wall to help him concentrate.

Faces the front

— An instruction often given in classrooms or military settings to look forward. It ensures everyone is paying attention.

The sergeant shouted, 'Everyone faces the front!'

Faces the audience

— Describes a performer or speaker looking at the people watching them. It is crucial for engagement.

The pianist faces the audience and bows deeply.

Faces a dilemma

— To be in a situation where a difficult choice must be made between two options. It highlights internal conflict.

The protagonist faces a dilemma: save his friend or save the city.

Faces bankruptcy

— A serious financial situation where a person or company cannot pay their debts. It is common in business news.

The airline faces bankruptcy after the travel ban.

Faces the future

— To look forward to what is coming next, often with a specific attitude like hope or fear. It is a common rhetorical phrase.

The nation faces the future with renewed optimism.

Faces the reality

— Similar to 'faces the facts,' it means acknowledging the true state of affairs. It often follows a period of dreaming or planning.

He finally faces the reality that he cannot win the race.

Frequentemente confundido com

faces vs Phases

Phases refers to stages in a process, while faces refers to surfaces or confronting something.

faces vs Faced

Faced is the past tense; faces is the present tense (third-person singular).

faces vs Facets

Facets are specifically the small, flat surfaces of a cut gem or aspects of a problem.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Face the music"

— To accept criticism or punishment for something you have done. It implies taking responsibility for a mistake.

He knew he would have to face the music when his parents found out about the broken window.

Informal/Neutral

"Blue in the face"

— To be exhausted from effort, usually from talking or arguing, without achieving any result. It is used to show frustration.

You can argue until you're blue in the face, but I'm not changing my mind.

Informal

"Poker face"

— An expressionless face that hides your true feelings or intentions. It comes from the game of poker.

She kept a poker face during the negotiations so they wouldn't know she was desperate.

Neutral

"Face to face"

— In the physical presence of another person; not over the phone or internet. It emphasizes direct contact.

We need to meet face to face to discuss the details of the contract.

Neutral

"In your face"

— Something that is very direct, aggressive, or impossible to ignore. It is often used in sports or modern slang.

The team's playing style is very in your face and intimidating.

Informal/Slang

"Lose face"

— To be humiliated or to lose the respect of others. It is a very important concept in many cultures.

The manager didn't want to lose face by admitting he was wrong in front of his employees.

Neutral

"Save face"

— To do something to avoid being humiliated or losing respect. It is the opposite of 'losing face.'

They offered him a different role so he could save face instead of being fired.

Neutral

"On the face of it"

— Used to say that something seems to be good, true, etc., but that this opinion may change when you know more about it.

On the face of it, the proposal seems reasonable, but we need to check the costs.

Formal/Neutral

"Fly in the face of"

— To be the opposite of what is usual or expected. It implies a direct contradiction of facts or logic.

This new evidence flies in the face of everything we thought we knew about the disease.

Formal/Neutral

"A slap in the face"

— An action that insults or upsets someone, especially when they expected support or praise.

The low pay rise was a slap in the face for the hardworking staff.

Informal/Neutral

Fácil de confundir

faces vs Phases

Similar pronunciation.

Phases are steps in time; faces are parts of space or an action of looking.

The moon has phases, but a cube has faces.

faces vs Feces

Slightly similar sound (though the first vowel is different).

Feces is a biological waste product; faces are parts of the head.

This is a very important distinction to make in medical or biological contexts!

faces vs Fazed

Sounds like 'phased' which sounds like 'faces'.

To be fazed is to be disturbed or disconcerted.

She wasn't fazed by the many angry faces in the crowd.

faces vs Vases

Rhyming sound.

Vases are containers for flowers.

The faces of the children lit up when they saw the colorful vases.

faces vs Basis

Similar ending sound.

Basis refers to a foundation or starting point.

On the basis of their faces, they look like siblings.

Padrões de frases

The [noun] faces the [noun].

The house faces the park.

[Subject] faces a [adjective] [noun].

She faces a big problem.

[Subject] faces the [idiom].

He faces the music.

The [noun] faces [adverb] from the [noun].

The building faces away from the road.

[Subject] faces the prospect of [gerund/noun].

The team faces the prospect of losing the game.

The [adjective] nature of [noun] faces us with [noun].

The complex nature of the task faces us with a challenge.

There are many [adjective] faces in [place].

There are many smiling faces in the room.

The [noun] has [number] [adjective] faces.

The diamond has many sparkling faces.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Face

Facial

Facing

Facet

Face-off

Verbos

Face

Surface

Interface

Deface

Efface

Adjetivos

Facial

Front-facing

Multifaceted

Shamefaced

Two-faced

Relacionado

Countenance

Visage

Surface

Aspect

Feature

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Como usar

frequency

Common in both spoken and written English.

Erros comuns

They faces many problems. → They face many problems.
The subject 'they' is plural, so the verb should be 'face,' not 'faces.'
The house face the park. → The house faces the park.
The subject 'the house' is singular, so the verb needs the 's' ending.
The project is in its final faces. → The project is in its final phases.
The speaker means 'stages' (phases), not 'surfaces' (faces).
She faces with the difficult situation. → She faces the difficult situation.
The verb 'faces' is transitive and does not need the preposition 'with.'
There was much faces in the crowd. → There were many faces in the crowd.
'Face' is a countable noun, so use 'many' and the plural verb 'were.'

Dicas

Watch the 'S'

Always remember to add the 's' when the subject is 'he,' 'she,' or 'it.' For example: 'She faces the challenge,' but 'They face the challenge.'

Use 'Facets' for Gems

While 'faces' is correct for a cube, use 'facets' when talking about diamonds or other cut stones to sound more professional.

Face the Music

Use this phrase when someone has to take responsibility for a mistake. It's a very common and natural-sounding idiom.

The Final Z

The 's' at the end of 'faces' is actually pronounced like a soft 'z.' Practice saying 'fay-siz' to sound more like a native speaker.

Avoid Repetition

If you use 'faces' as a verb in one sentence, try using 'confronts' or 'deals with' in the next to keep your writing interesting.

Describing Views

When describing a room, 'faces' is the perfect verb. 'The window faces the garden' is much better than 'The window is toward the garden.'

Familiar Faces

Use the phrase 'familiar faces' at parties or meetings to express comfort or recognition of people you know.

Counting Faces

In geometry, always count the 'faces' of a shape to understand its properties. A cube always has six faces.

Facing Fears

Use 'faces' to describe the act of overcoming anxiety. 'He faces his fear of heights' implies bravery and action.

Institutional Use

When writing about a city or a government, use 'faces' to describe large-scale problems like 'The city faces a budget crisis.'

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'FA-ces' as 'Front Aspects.' The first two letters 'FA' can remind you that it's about the Front of something, whether a head or a building.

Associação visual

Imagine a cube with a different person's face on each of its six sides. This helps you remember both the geometric and human meanings of 'faces.'

Word Web

Human Face Geometric Surface Orientation Confrontation Identity Aspect Clock Face Mountain Face

Desafio

Try to write three sentences using 'faces' in three different ways: as a plural noun for people, as a geometric term, and as a verb meaning to confront a problem.

Origem da palavra

The word 'faces' comes from the Old French 'face,' which in turn derived from the Vulgar Latin 'facia' and the Classical Latin 'facies.' The Latin 'facies' meant 'appearance, form, or figure,' and was related to the verb 'facere,' meaning 'to make.'

Significado original: Originally, it referred to the outward form or shape of something, not just the human face.

Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > English

Contexto cultural

Be careful when describing people's faces to avoid offensive or overly critical language. Focus on neutral or positive descriptions.

In the US and UK, 'facing the music' is a very common idiom for taking responsibility. It's often used in political and legal contexts.

The movie 'Faces' (1968) by John Cassavetes. The song 'Faces' by Earth, Wind & Fire. The book 'The Faces of Justice' by Sybille Bedford.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Architecture

South-facing windows
Faces the courtyard
Street-facing facade
Faces the main entrance

Mathematics

Faces of a cube
Number of faces
Triangular faces
Opposite faces

Business

Faces a lawsuit
Faces competition
Faces a budget deficit
Faces a hostile takeover

Social Situations

Familiar faces
New faces in town
Smiling faces
Face to face meeting

Personal Growth

Faces one's fears
Faces the truth
Faces a difficult choice
Faces the consequences

Iniciadores de conversa

"Have you seen many familiar faces at the event tonight?"

"Does your apartment face the street or the back of the building?"

"What is the biggest challenge your company faces right now?"

"How do you feel when you have to meet someone face to face for a difficult talk?"

"Can you name a movie where the main character faces a huge dilemma?"

Temas para diário

Describe a time when you had to face a fear. What happened and how did you feel afterward?

Think about the many faces of your hometown. What are the different parts that make it unique?

If you could design a house that faces any view in the world, what would it be and why?

Write about a situation where you had to face the music. What did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on the 'new faces' you have met this year. How have they influenced your life?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, 'faces' can also be a verb. As a verb, it is the third-person singular form of 'face' (e.g., 'He faces the wall'). As a noun, it is the plural of 'face' (e.g., 'They have happy faces').

It is an idiom that means to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions. For example, if you break a rule, you must face the music and accept the punishment.

Yes, in English, we use the verb 'faces' to describe the orientation of a building. For example, 'The front of the house faces the park' means the house is looking toward the park.

'Faces' is a general term for the flat sides of any 3D object. 'Facets' usually refers to the many small, polished surfaces of a gemstone like a diamond, or metaphorically to aspects of a complex issue.

It is pronounced /ˈfeɪ.sɪz/. The first syllable rhymes with 'day,' and the second syllable sounds like 'siz' with a 'z' sound at the very end.

Yes, in geometry, 'faces' refers to the flat surfaces that make up a three-dimensional shape, such as a cube or a pyramid.

This phrase refers to people you recognize or know well. It is often used when you go to a place and see people you have met before.

Yes, you can talk about the faces of animals, though for some animals, specific terms like 'muzzle' or 'snout' might be used in more technical contexts.

It means being in the same physical location as someone else, looking at them directly, rather than communicating through a device.

Use 'face' for a singular noun (one face) or for verbs with plural subjects (they face). Use 'faces' for plural nouns (two faces) or for verbs with singular subjects (he faces).

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