face/faced with

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Taka  #513167  Tue, 13 May 08 03:09 PM
(1) You will be faced with the problem.

(2) You will face the problem.

 

Are they both natural? If so, what exactly is the difference between the two?

  
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Avangi  #513200  Tue, 13 May 08 05:28 PM

They're both natural.  The question is, do you face the problem or does the problem face you?  Some have recently argued that if I'm facing you then you're facing me.  Obviously, it's not true literally.  But is it true figuratively, as in your two examples?  I would say no.

A problem may be coming toward you in the figurative sense (i.e.the problem is facing you / you're faced with the problem), but you may be unaware of it, or deliberately ignoring it. So in the figurative sense, you're looking the other way.

  - A.

  
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Old Man Gordon  #513204  Tue, 13 May 08 05:34 PM

I would say that 'facing' a problem includes attempting to deal with it/ attack it.

Being faced with does not necessarily mean you are doing anything about it, as A explained.

  
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Taka  #513211  Tue, 13 May 08 06:13 PM
Old Man Gordon

I would say that 'facing' a problem includes attempting to deal with it/ attack it.

Being faced with does not necessarily mean you are doing anything about it, as A explained.

 

That's exactly how I see the difference!

Thank you both! 

  
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