a collapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a sudden failure or breakdown of a system, structure, or situation. Example: "The sudden collapse of the bridge caused significant traffic delays and raised safety concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There's a collapse of time.

The New Yorker

A collapse in oil prices would help.

The Economist

We are not looking for a collapse.

The New York Times

A collapse seemed likely.

The New York Times

But such a collapse has happened before.

The Economist

"Some would call it a collapse".

The New Yorker

Or a collapse!

The Guardian - Sport

"Maybe smelling a collapse".

The New York Times - Sports

It's a collapse of responsibility.

The Guardian

What finally triggers a collapse?

The Guardian

But it was not simply a collapse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific prepositions like 'in' for sectors (e.g. 'a collapse in oil prices') or 'of' for structural entities (e.g. 'a collapse of the bridge').

Common error

Avoid using "a collapse" when the event is slow and progressive; the word inherently suggests a sudden and dramatic event. For slower trends, use "a gradual decline" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collapse" functions as a noun phrase comprising an indefinite article and a common noun. In the examples found in Ludwig, it is frequently used as the object of a verb (e.g. "staved off a collapse") or the head of a prepositional phrase, establishing it as a versatile tool for identifying sudden failures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a collapse" is a robust and essential phrase in the English language, primarily used to describe sudden and severe systemic failures. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and highly frequent term, particularly favored by authoritative news and academic sources. Whether discussing economic downturns in The Economist or structural failures in The Guardian, the phrase provides a precise and dramatic descriptor for the loss of stability. Its flexibility across physical, metaphorical, and financial contexts makes it an indispensable asset for any writer looking to convey a sense of total and sudden failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a breakdown

More commonly used for mechanical or functional failures in systems or communication.

a failure

A more general term that covers any lack of success without necessarily implying a sudden fall.

an implosion

Specifically refers to a collapse that is caused by internal pressure or structural weakness.

a crash

Often used specifically in financial contexts (stock market) or for physical impact.

a downfall

Carries a stronger narrative or moral connotation, often used for leaders or empires.

a meltdown

Suggests a chaotic and emotional or technical disintegration, often used in finance or nuclear contexts.

a debacle

Focuses on the disastrous and embarrassing nature of the failure.

a cave-in

Usually restricted to physical structures like roofs, mines, or tunnels.

a slump

Represents a less sudden, though still significant, decline in performance or economic activity.

a dissolution

Describes the formal breaking up of an organization or legal entity.

FAQs

How do I use "a collapse" in a sentence?

You can use it to denote a sudden failure, such as: "Experts warned that the housing market might face "a collapse" if interest rates continued to rise."

What can I say instead of "a collapse"?

Depending on the context, you might use "a breakdown", "a meltdown", or "a crash".

Is it "a collapse of" or "a collapse in"?

Both are correct but serve different purposes. Use "of" for the thing that falls apart (e.g. "collapse of the building") and "in" for the metric or sector that dropped (e.g. "collapse in demand").

What is the difference between "a collapse" and "a recession"?

While "a recession" is a period of temporary economic decline, "a collapse" suggests a much more sudden, severe, and total breakdown of the system.