certain to collapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain to collapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is highly likely or guaranteed to fail or fall apart. Example: "Without proper support, the old building is certain to collapse during the next storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Any accidental detonation of the high explosive lenses (in a fire or plane crash for example) would be certain to collapse the uranium core to its supercritical state.

Stanford University

Critical forest habitat that is home to the Leadbeater's possum, Victoria's faunal emblem, is almost certain to "collapse" due to logging and fires, new research has found.

The Guardian

Investors wasted little time signaling their approval on Sunday night, pushing up value of the euro, which had fallen in recent weeks amid fear that the currency would be certain to collapse after a Greek exit.

The New York Times

One modest example is the lack of substantial effort to retrofit or replace hundreds of schools in the state of Oregon that engineers have identified as likely or nearly certain to collapse when the next inevitable great earthquake is triggered along the region's Cascadia fault (there are struggles to prepare coastal communities for the inevitable tsunami, as well).

The New York Times

But Gaddafi's rule, which lasted 42 years, was certain to collapse at some point.

BBC

With foreign direct investments almost certain to collapse, I expect that by next year the Chinese economy will be in a deflationary recession that will force its leadership to devalue the yuan by at least 15% to 20%.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A shock wave from a nearby supernova would have triggered the formation of the Sun by compressing the matter within the molecular cloud and causing certain regions to collapse under their own gravity.

Wikipedia

If the patient has a puncture wound, the lung is almost certain to have collapsed.

WikiHow

Until now, no one has been certain what caused them to collapse.

The New York Times

"I was certain everything was going to collapse," he told me.

The New Yorker

I literally hopped down the perpetually broken Dupont Circle escalator on one leg, dizzy and almost certain I was going to collapse and take a slew of commuters down with me as I slinkied my way to the bottom.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain to collapse" when you want to express a high degree of confidence about an impending failure or breakdown, based on observable conditions or logical reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "certain to collapse" when the outcome is only a possibility or a slight probability. Use qualifiers like "likely" or "possible" if the collapse is not virtually guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain to collapse" functions as a modal phrase, indicating a high degree of probability or inevitability regarding a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English. It expresses a strong prediction about an impending failure or breakdown.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain to collapse" is a modal phrase used to express a high degree of confidence about an impending failure. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media, academia, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register. While generally appropriate, remember to use it only when the outcome is truly highly probable, avoiding overstatements. Consider alternatives like "sure to fail" or "bound to crumble" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inevitably going to collapse

Highlights the unavoidable nature of the collapse.

virtually certain to collapse

Increases the level of confidence about the collapse.

guaranteed to fail

Stresses the certainty of failure, often due to inherent flaws or external pressures.

sure to fail

Focuses on the failure aspect, omitting the structural breakdown implied by collapse.

highly likely to collapse

Expresses a strong probability without absolute certainty.

undeniably going to fail

Highlights the obviousness and certainty of the failure.

bound to crumble

Emphasizes a gradual deterioration and disintegration.

destined to fall

Implies a predetermined outcome, often with a sense of inevitability.

doomed to destruction

Suggests a catastrophic and irreversible ending.

on the verge of collapse

Indicates an imminent collapse, highlighting the precarious state.

FAQs

How can I use "certain to collapse" in a sentence?

You can use "certain to collapse" to describe something that is highly likely to fail or fall apart. For example: "Without proper support, the old building is certain to collapse during the next storm."

What can I say instead of "certain to collapse"?

You can use alternatives like "sure to fail", "bound to crumble", or "inevitably going to collapse" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "certain to collapse" or "likely to collapse"?

"Certain to collapse" implies a higher degree of confidence than "likely to collapse". Use "certain" when the outcome is virtually guaranteed and use "likely" when the outcome is probable but not assured.

What's the difference between "certain to collapse" and "about to collapse"?

"Certain to collapse" indicates a high probability of future failure. "About to collapse" suggests that the collapse is imminent and will happen very soon.