"They are faced with" means that a group of people (represented by "they") are confronted with a situation, challenge, or reality, or have discovered or learned about something significant.
Based on the provided reference, the idiom "faced with" means:
- Confronted with
- Having discovered or learned
Therefore, when we say "they are faced with" something, it means that they are currently confronting or dealing with a particular issue, problem, decision, or situation, or they have recently discovered or learned something important that requires their attention or reaction.
Understanding "Faced With"
The phrase "faced with" implies coming into direct contact with or being presented with something that requires a response or action. It often relates to challenges, problems, or new information.
Examples of Use:
- "They are faced with a difficult decision about the company's future." (Confronted with a difficult choice)
- "After the investigation, they were faced with the truth about what happened." (Having discovered or learned the truth)
- "Local communities are faced with the need to conserve water during the drought." (Confronted with the need)
Key Aspects of Being "Faced With" Something
- Direct Encounter: It suggests a direct encounter or presentation of the situation.
- Requirement for Response: Being faced with something typically requires a reaction, decision, or action.
- Often Challenging: While not always negative, the phrase often describes confronting a problem, difficulty, or threat.
Reference Information Explained
The reference states:
- Faced with (this news, he ran away): Confronted with, having discovered or learned (this news, he ran away) idiom.
- Example: "Faced with the threat of a flu pandemic, researchers from Paris have developed a deterrent that could stop the virus from spreading."
This clearly illustrates that being "faced with" something (like "this news" or "the threat of a flu pandemic") means being confronted by it or learning about it, leading to a subsequent action or situation (like running away or developing a deterrent). When applied to "they are faced with," it means they are in this situation of confrontation or discovery.
Structure of the Phrase
| Subject | Verb | Idiom | The Situation/Challenge/Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| They | are faced | with | [a challenge, a decision, the truth] |
This structure shows how the subject ("they") is connected to the situation they are confronting via the passive voice construction "are faced with."
Practical Examples
- Problem Solving: When a team encounters a major technical bug, "they are faced with the task of finding a quick solution."
- Economic Conditions: During a recession, "businesses are faced with declining consumer spending."
- Personal Challenges: If a group of friends gets lost, "they are faced with the challenge of finding their way back."
In all these cases, "they" are in a position where they must deal with, react to, or address the situation presented to them.
