already collapsed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already collapsed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that has fallen apart or failed before a certain point in time. Example: "The bridge had already collapsed before the inspection team arrived." Alternative expressions include "has already fallen" and "has already crumbled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some of them had already collapsed".

The New York Times - Arts

Everything in our country has already collapsed".

The New York Times

The ceiling of the terminal had already collapsed.

The New Yorker

When we got out, our neighbour's house was already collapsed.

The Guardian

His principal character cannot accept the new order, even though the old has already collapsed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Before his death, in 1994, Kurt Cobain had already collapsed in Rome after overdosing on heroin.

The Guardian - Music

Part of the mountain's iconic cone has already collapsed into itself.

The Guardian

But in fact this storyline has already collapsed, into a charade.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Enron had already collapsed and filed for bankruptcy protection by the beginning of 2002.

The New York Times

A ceasefire in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalision is fighting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, has already collapsed.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The lack of some of these components in already-collapsed health systems explains the failures of governance that inflamed the impact of Ebola in West Africa.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already collapsed" to clearly indicate that a structure, system, or entity has failed or broken down before a specific point in time, avoiding ambiguity about the timing of the collapse.

Common error

Avoid using "already collapsed" when referring to something that has merely weakened or deteriorated; reserve it for situations where complete failure or breakdown has occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already collapsed" functions as a past perfect construction indicating a state of completion before a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its use in diverse contexts, ranging from physical structures to abstract systems. The phrase is commonly used as an adjective describing a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already collapsed" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression that denotes a state of complete failure or breakdown before a certain point. As revealed by Ludwig, its prevalence in News & Media highlights its utility in reporting on events where systems, structures, or entities have irreversibly failed. While semantically similar alternatives like "completely failed" or "fallen apart" exist, "already collapsed" distinctly implies a prior state of functionality followed by a complete cessation. Therefore, ensuring precise use is key to maintaining clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely failed

Emphasizes total failure instead of specifically noting a structural collapse.

crumbled completely

Highlights a gradual disintegration and complete loss of structure.

fallen apart

Focuses on disintegration rather than necessarily a physical collapse.

previously disintegrated

Highlights disintegration, adds a temporal reference.

given way

Implies yielding under pressure or strain.

formerly in ruins

Emphasizes the resulting state of being ruined.

broken down

Refers to a malfunction or cessation of function.

ceased to function

Highlights the termination of operational capability.

decomposed entirely

Focuses on the process of decay and complete decomposition.

succumbed to failure

Implies yielding to an inevitable failing condition.

FAQs

How can I use "already collapsed" in a sentence?

You can use "already collapsed" to describe a state of complete failure before a certain point. For example, "The building had "already collapsed" when the rescue team arrived."

What are some alternatives to saying "already collapsed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "completely failed", "fallen apart", or "given way".

Is it correct to say "has already collapsed" instead of "already collapsed"?

Yes, "has already collapsed" is grammatically correct and provides a more complete verb phrase. The choice depends on the specific sentence structure and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "already collapsed" and "partially collapsed"?

"Already collapsed" implies a complete failure or breakdown, while "partially collapsed" indicates that only a portion of the structure or system has failed; the rest remains standing or functional.