facing
B2Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
Positioned so as to be opposite or in front of; confronting or dealing with a situation.
Having a covering or layer applied to a surface for protection or decoration.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as an adjective or a preposition. In garment manufacturing, it refers to the fabric on the inside of a garment along edges (collar, cuffs). In construction/masonry, it refers to a decorative outer layer (e.g., brick facing).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'facing' identically in core meanings. The noun sense related to construction (e.g., 'stone facing') is slightly more common in UK technical contexts.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] facing + NP (object/situation)[be] facing + direction (east/south)NP (situation) + facing + NP (person/group)with + NP (material) + facingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “come face to face with”
- “face the music”
- “fly in the face of”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company is facing significant headwinds in the coming quarter."
Academic
"Societies facing rapid demographic change must adapt their policies."
Everyday
"Our kitchen window is facing the neighbour's garden."
Technical
"The architect specified a limestone facing for the building's façade."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She is facing a disciplinary hearing next week.
- The terrace faces south, catching the sun all day.
American English
- The team is facing a tough opponent this weekend.
- Our apartment faces the park.
adjective
British English
- The facing page contains the diagram.
- They installed new facing bricks on the extension.
American English
- Check the facing illustration for reference.
- The building has a granite facing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My room is facing the garden.
- She was facing me.
- We are facing some problems with the new computer system.
- The hotel room had a balcony facing the sea.
- The government is facing mounting criticism over its handling of the crisis.
- A stone facing was added to the concrete wall to improve its appearance.
- Confronted with the evidence, the defendant was facing an insurmountable challenge to his alibi.
- The geopolitical realities facing the region necessitate a nuanced diplomatic approach.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock FACE looking INto a room. It's FACING you.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHALLENGES ARE OPPONENTS TO BE FACED (e.g., 'face your fears'). DIRECTIONS ARE ORIENTATIONS (e.g., 'facing north').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'лицо' (face as a noun) when 'facing' indicates direction. Use 'выходящий на' or 'обращённый к' for location. For challenges, use 'стоять перед' or 'сталкиваться с'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'The house is facing to the sea.' Correct: 'The house is facing the sea.' Incorrect use as a main verb synonym for 'have' (e.g., 'I'm facing a party tonight').
Practice
Quiz
In the context of clothing, what does 'facing' refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. As a verb, it's the present participle/gerund of 'face' (e.g., 'He is facing danger'). As an adjective, it describes position or a type of covering (e.g., 'the facing wall', 'brick facing').
No, 'facing' is directly followed by its object without 'to'. Correct: 'The window faces the street'. Incorrect: 'The window faces to the street'.
'Facing' implies orientation and direction. 'In front of' simply indicates position. A statue can be 'in front of' a building (position), but only 'facing' it if it is oriented towards it.
It is a decorative or protective layer applied to the outer surface of a wall or structure, such as brick, stone, or tile facing.