a collision is imminent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collision is imminent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a collision or crash is expected to happen soon, often in discussions about safety or warnings. Example: "The driver was warned that a collision is imminent if they did not slow down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It then becomes relatively straightforward to determine when a collision is imminent and to adjust course accordingly.

MIT Technology Review

The systems offer auditory, visual and mechanical warnings if a collision is imminent — and increasingly, if needed, take evasive actions automatically.

The New York Times - Science

As a consequence, the collision event enters the discrete equations of motion as an unknown that has to be computed on-the-fly whenever a collision is imminent.

Journal of Computational Physics

Nissan says the Intelligent Braking System (PDF) uses radar to gauge the closing speed and distance of vehicles ahead, and if the computer decides a collision is imminent it will apply the brakes.

The New York Times

New to the range is a rollover safety system, which sends two roll bars mounted behind the rear seats skyward when a computer senses that a collision is imminent.

The New York Times

The features included experimental devices like active door supports, virtual crumple zones — and a Braking Bag that inflates under the car, rather than inside, to help scrub off speed when a collision is imminent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"We could predict with precision if a collision were imminent, say in 10 years, but the chance of our seeing an object that would hit the earth in the next hundred years is only one in a thousand," says Mr. Shoemaker, who has spent the last 30 years studying crater impacts on the Earth, Moon and the moons of other planets.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hard-a starboard"., before instructing the destroyer's Quartermaster to announce that a collision was imminent.

Wikipedia

The two crews did not realise that a collision was imminent until the last moment, and the trains struck head-on at 10 35 a.m.

Wikipedia

If the radar unit in the rear bumper detects a vehicle closing fast and determines that a rear-end collision is imminent, the brakes are applied to help prevent a secondary crash into the car ahead, and the seat belt pretensioners are activated.

The New York Times

So, he asked, what if, in some not-distant future, he's driving along in a car controlled by Google's self-driving software, and a head-on collision is imminent?

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a collision is imminent" when you want to convey a sense of urgency and near certainty about an upcoming crash or impact. Be specific about what objects are involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a collision is imminent" in situations that do not involve a real risk of crashing. Using it casually can diminish the phrase's impact when it's needed to describe serious danger.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collision is imminent" functions as a warning or a statement of impending danger. Ludwig AI identifies that the phrase indicates a high probability of an upcoming crash and highlights a call to action to avoid it.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a collision is imminent" is a grammatically correct phrase used to signal an impending crash, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most commonly found in news and media, with a neutral register. While generally safe to use, ensure the context warrants the phrase's seriousness to avoid diminishing its impact. Alternatives include "a crash is unavoidable" and "impact is forthcoming", though they carry slightly different connotations. Remember, the goal is to effectively communicate the urgency and likelihood of an upcoming collision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crash is unavoidable

Emphasizes the inevitability of the collision.

a collision is unavoidable

States that the collision cannot be avoided.

impact is forthcoming

A more formal way to describe an upcoming collision.

a crash is impending

Similar to "imminent", but may suggest a slightly longer timeframe.

a wreck is about to happen

More informal and emphasizes the destructive nature of the collision.

collision is drawing near

Suggests the collision is getting closer over time.

a collision is on the horizon

Figurative language that indicates a future collision.

a collision is in the cards

Indicates the collision is very likely or destined to occur.

the vehicles are about to collide

Describes the action in a more descriptive way.

the cars are converging

Describes the vehicles coming together, implying a collision.

FAQs

What does "a collision is imminent" mean?

It means a crash or impact is about to happen very soon. It suggests a high probability and little time to prevent it.

What can I say instead of "a collision is imminent"?

You can use alternatives like "a crash is unavoidable", "impact is forthcoming", or "a crash is impending", depending on the specific context.

Is "a collision is imminent" formal or informal?

The phrase is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in news reports and safety warnings. If you are unsure, using a similar but slightly more informal phrasing would be acceptable in most contexts.

How to use "a collision is imminent" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe any situation where objects are on a path to crash into each other. For example: "The automated system warned the driver that a collision is imminent." or "Due to the fog, a collision is imminent if the ship doesn't change course."