are falling apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are falling apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is deteriorating, breaking down, or losing cohesion, whether literally or metaphorically. Example: "After years of neglect, the old building is finally showing signs that it are falling apart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Things are falling apart.

The New York Times

Communities are falling apart".

The Guardian - Music

So things are falling apart all over.

The New York Times

Now some of them are falling apart.

The New York Times

Its balconies are falling apart.

The New York Times

Your Bulls are falling apart.

The New Yorker

Deals are falling apart at record levels.

The New York Times

KIMBAL: Most schools are falling apart.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The healthcare services there are falling apart.

The Guardian

"Half the houses here are falling apart".

The New York Times

"Things are falling apart," he told himself.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are falling apart" to describe situations where something is literally or figuratively breaking down and losing its integrity. It works well for physical structures, systems, and relationships.

Common error

While "are falling apart" is widely understood, consider more formal alternatives like "are deteriorating" or "are disintegrating" in academic or professional writing to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are falling apart" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the state of a subject that is undergoing disintegration or decay. Ludwig AI confirms this, with examples showing both literal and figurative usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are falling apart" is a common and versatile expression used to describe something that is deteriorating, disintegrating, or losing its structural or functional integrity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted for more formal or informal situations by choosing appropriate synonyms like "are disintegrating" or "are crumbling". When using this phrase, it's important to consider the subject and ensure the verb conjugation is correct, using "is falling apart" for singular subjects and "are falling apart" for plural subjects. Be mindful of the potential for overuse in formal writing, opting for more sophisticated alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are disintegrating

Emphasizes a breakdown into smaller parts, suggesting a more complete loss of structure.

are crumbling

Focuses on gradual decay and loss of structural integrity, especially of buildings or institutions.

are collapsing

Indicates a sudden and dramatic failure of structure or system.

are deteriorating

Highlights a progressive decline in quality, condition, or function.

are breaking down

Suggests a failure of a system or relationship, becoming non-functional.

are failing

Indicates a lack of success or effectiveness, often in a process or endeavor.

are going to pieces

An idiomatic expression emphasizing emotional or mental distress and disorganization.

are unraveling

Implies a gradual loss of cohesion or order, as if something knitted is coming undone.

are decaying

Focuses on natural decomposition and rotting, especially in organic matter or moral values.

are becoming fragmented

Indicates a division into smaller, disconnected parts, losing overall unity.

FAQs

How can I use "are falling apart" in a sentence?

You can use "are falling apart" to describe anything that is disintegrating, whether literally, as in "The old buildings "are falling apart"", or figuratively, as in "Their relationship "are falling apart"".

What can I say instead of "are falling apart"?

Alternatives include "are disintegrating", "are crumbling", or "are deteriorating", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is falling apart" instead of "are falling apart"?

The verb conjugation depends on the subject. Use "is falling apart" with singular subjects (e.g., "The house is falling apart"), and "are falling apart" with plural subjects (e.g., "The houses are falling apart").

What's the difference between "are falling apart" and "are breaking down"?

While both suggest a failure or disintegration, "are falling apart" often implies a more physical or structural breakdown, while "are breaking down" can refer to systems or processes failing. For example, "The car is breaking down", versus "The old shed "are falling apart"".