What are the most challenging problems that society faces? Why "faces" instead of "does face"?
10 answers from our tutors
Best answer
The sentence uses “faces” because it is in the present tense and refers to ongoing , persistent challenges in society. “Does face” is also grammatically correct but adds emphasis to the fact that society is actively dealing with these challenges. The choice depends on the desire nuance. ☺️
When you put does face that means you are more emphasing on society, society faces is normal present indefinite tense which is a norm in every society, does face refer to a particular situation e. g inflation jacked up after covid that's the reason society does face repercussions.
Faces is the fitting word as it’s a continuous situation
Check your English level for free
Take our quick and free test to find out your current level of English
Start test
Faces is the correct word because it is an ongoing situation.
Faces is the correct word because it is an ongoing situation.
The reason why it is "faces" instead of "does face" is because the verb "to face" is in so-called subordinate clause. Or to put it the other way, in the dependent part of the sentence. Whereas the first part of the sentence here, i.e. "what are the most challenging problems" is so-called main or independent clause. If the verb "to face" were in the main clause, or if the clauses in this sentence were to trade places, then it would be a question "what does society face that are its most challenging problems?". Or something along these lines.
I face You face We face He, she, or it faces. Society refers to a third person and therefore the verb should be conjugated in the third person.
Hi dear. "Faces" and "does face" are both correct. But "faces" is preferred because is more direct and easy to pronounce. You can use "does face" interchangeably as well. Among all the challenging problems that society faces, these are some important ones, in my opinion. Inequality, Mental health, Access to education, Cybersecurity, Climate change and Global governance are the most important ones. Hope I could help you, Good Luck!
Both "faces" and "does face" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Faces" implies that these problems are ongoing or persistent challenges that society deals with, while "does face" would suggest that society is currently experiencing these challenges
"Does" is an auxiliary verb. You use it in questions, negation or as an emphasis in some cases. None of the mentioned is applicable here. What probably confuses you is that your question includes a subordinate clause. The question itself is "What are the most challenging problems?" The last part describes what kind of problems. So after "that" you have a new sentence, so to say. And in that sentence you have a direct word order. The last part is not a question, so no need for the auxiliary there.
Other student questions
Best answer
To b more focus and to see English as a simple and fun language
