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Prepositions after verbs

How to use “face” with prepositions

Face is usually followed directly by the problem or situation. Face with appears mainly in passive structures such as be faced with. Face by is not a standard combination.

Quick answer

Common uses of “face”

Use face something without a preposition in active sentences. In passive form, be faced with is common. Face by is not idiomatic as a fixed pattern.

We must face the consequences.
The company was faced with serious competition.
She faced a difficult choice.
Residents were faced with rising costs.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
face + problem/situation

Directly confronting something

Face usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

They must face reality.
The team faced strong opposition.
2
be faced with + problem

Passive form with “with”

Be faced with is common when describing a situation someone experiences.

We were faced with a shortage of staff.
She was faced with an impossible decision.
3
face by + agent

Why “face by” is not standard

English does not normally use face by as a verb-preposition pattern. Use passive voice with by if naming an agent.

The town was faced by severe flooding.
The hikers were faced by freezing winds.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
face + noun
They faced criticism.
standard active pattern
be faced with
She was faced with a dilemma.
standard passive expression
face with
The company faced delays.
active face normally does not take with
face by
The village was faced by heavy rain.
possible in passive structure with an agent, but not a common fixed pattern

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Adding “with” after active face

Active face usually takes a direct object.

✕ They faced with many problems. ✓ They faced many problems.

Using “face by” as a general pattern

By only works in passive structures naming an agent or cause.

✕ We faced by difficulties. ✓ We were faced with difficulties.

Mixing active and passive forms

Choose either face something or be faced with something.

✕ She was faced the issue. ✓ She faced the issue.

Omitting “with” in the passive

The passive expression normally includes with.

✕ They were faced a crisis. ✓ They were faced with a crisis.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The team had to ___ several challenges.
2. Residents were faced ___ rising prices.
3. Which sentence is most natural?

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Frequently asked questions

Is “faced with” correct?

Yes. It is a common passive expression.

Can I say “face with”?

Only in passive structures such as be faced with. Active face usually has no preposition.

Is “face by” standard English?

Not as a regular pattern. It may appear in passive sentences naming an agent, but it is uncommon.

facilitate by, in, with, for or through? "fade into", "fade to" or "fade from"? fail in, at, to, on or for? "fall into" or "fall in"? falter in, after, for, on or under? fantasize about, on, of or over? fare in, against, to, as or on? "fascinate by" or "fascinate with"? "fasten to", "fasten on" or "fasten with"? favor by, in, for, from or of? favour by, in, for, over or of? "fear for", "fear in" or "fear of"?

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