Learn English – Do you use “I face” or “I’m faced with”

word-difference

When you find or encounter some situation (especially bad ones like difficulty or obstacle), which do you say?

I face some problem

or

I'm faced with some problem

?

Best Answer

Both are possible because of the meaning of the verb "face".

If John and Mary are looking at each other you could (in theory) say:

John faces Mary.
Mary faces John
John is faced by Mary

Because the situation is symmetric they all mean roughly the same. However the subject, or passive subject (John in (1), Mary in (2) and (3)) is the one who is taking control. So if, instead of Mary, we look at your example:

I face the problem. (means that I am actively choosing to engage with the problem)
I am faced by the problem. (means that the problem is in front of me, but and can't be avoided)

When we reached the glacier, we were faced by the problem of crossing the crevasses.

If you don't face the problem of moneyflow soon you will go bust.

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