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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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Fall apart

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Fall apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is breaking down, failing, or disintegrating, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "After years of neglect, the old house began to fall apart, with the roof caving in and the walls cracking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fall apart.

Players fall apart.

They fall apart!

News & Media

The New Yorker

It may fall apart.

News & Media

The Economist

Everything would fall apart".

News & Media

The New York Times

Detroit will fall apart.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Things fall apart.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Charleston began to fall apart.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The Coalition won't fall apart.

News & Media

Independent

She won't fall apart.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Or would it all fall apart?

News & Media

Independent
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall apart" to describe processes, relationships, or physical objects that are losing integrity or ceasing to function effectively. For instance: "Their relationship began to fall apart after years of misunderstanding."

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, consider more formal alternatives like "deteriorate" or "disintegrate" in academic or professional writing to maintain a higher level of formality.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall apart" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It describes a process of disintegration, failure, or emotional collapse. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "fall apart" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe processes of disintegration, failure, or emotional collapse. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal alternatives in specific academic or professional contexts. Its frequent presence in news media, coupled with instances in wiki and scientific sources, underscores its broad applicability and general understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "fall apart" in a sentence?

You can use "fall apart" to describe something physically breaking down, such as "The old book began to fall apart after years of use", or to describe a situation or relationship failing, such as "Their business partnership started to fall apart due to disagreements".

What are some synonyms for "fall apart"?

Alternatives to "fall apart" include "disintegrate", "crumble", "break down", or "collapse", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "fall apart" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, using "fall apart" in very formal writing may be less suitable. Consider more formal synonyms such as "deteriorate" or "disintegrate" in such contexts.

What's the difference between "fall apart" and "break down"?

"Fall apart" often implies a gradual disintegration or failure, while "break down" can suggest a more sudden or complete failure. For example, a car might "break down", but a long-term relationship might "fall apart".

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: