老师好：请教一下。
下面的例子出于《柯林斯高阶英汉双解词典》
例 I was gradually being brought face to face with the fact that I had very little success.
问题：这里face to face 是起什么用途？假如没这个词组，会对句子产生什么影响？
face to face with the fact...作状语，with短语依据需要可加可不加。如：
His ambition was to meet his favourite pop star face to face. 他心向往之的是要面对面地见见他心目中的时尚曲歌星。
The burglar turned the corner and found himself face to face with a policeman. 盗贼一拐弯面对面地碰上个警察。
下面的例句属相同种类使用方法，且与with短语连用。
His store is back to back with a hotel.他的店与一家旅馆背靠背。
Were usually working side by side with the men.一般大家和男士一块并肩工作。
After repeated discussions, we began to see eye to eye with him.经过反复的讨论，大家开始和他建议一致。
The British foreign secretary said Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Norway in the face of such atrocities.英海外长表示，英国将与挪威并肩应付这种暴行。
Did you ever think of discussing these problems heart to heart with your husband? 你可曾想过诚恳地和你老公讨论一下这类事情？
