collapse into

USAGE SUMMARY

"collapse into" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to convey the idea of something or someone becoming completely overwhelmed by emotion, or crumbling suddenly and noisily. For example: "The little girl was so overwhelmed by joy that she collapsed into her mother's arms, sobbing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

PLAY: R.E.M., Collapse Into Now (Release Date: March 8).

Huffington Post

Collapse into its folds.

The New Yorker

Then they would collapse into giggling.

The New Yorker

They stare at me, collapse into giggles.

The Guardian - Music

All the women except Stephanie collapse into giggles.

The New Yorker

Romney suffers from S.C.I.P.S. — sudden collapse into passive syndrome.

The New York Times

The Tory collapse into extremism is a national tragedy.

Independent

Latrines could collapse into the muck, creating a sanitation nightmare.

The Washington Post

moment and had to collapse into the nearest cafe.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Global warming is abruptly redrawing parts of Antarctica's coastline, as ice shelves collapse into the sea.

Columbia University

These are also well-made headphones that collapse into a slightly smaller package than the Venue.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "collapse into" to vividly describe a sudden or overwhelming shift, whether emotional, physical, or systemic. For instance, "The building collapsed into a pile of rubble" paints a more dramatic picture than "The building fell down."

Common error

While "collapse into" is suitable for many situations, be mindful of its dramatic connotation. In formal or technical writing, consider more neutral alternatives like "transition to" or "become" if the intent is simply to describe a change without emphasizing a sense of failure or breakdown.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collapse into" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a process of sudden decline, transformation, or merging. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It often describes a dramatic shift from one state to another, whether physical, emotional, or abstract.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "collapse into" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression that conveys a sense of sudden change or decline. As indicated by Ludwig, it's used across various contexts, from describing physical events like structures collapsing to emotional states like collapsing into tears. While its usage is common across different registers, it is important to consider the dramatic connotation it carries and choose it appropriately. The most common contexts where "collapse into" is found are News & Media, Science, and Academia. When needing an alternative, consider options like "merge into" or "descend into" to better fit your desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merge into

Indicates a blending or combining of two or more things to become one, similar to a gradual collapse.

descend into

Suggests a decline or fall into a negative state or situation, emphasizing a downward trajectory.

devolve into

Implies a degradation or decline into a less complex or desirable form.

transform into

Focuses on a complete change in form or character, akin to a dramatic collapse and reformation.

degenerate into

Emphasizes a decline in quality or moral character, highlighting a negative transformation.

dissolve into

Suggests a gradual disappearance or disintegration, where something breaks down and blends into something else.

slide into

Implies a gradual and often unnoticed movement into a different state or situation.

fall apart into

Highlights the breaking or crumbling of something into smaller pieces, emphasizing disarray.

deteriorate into

Suggests a gradual worsening or decay, leading to a less desirable state.

crumble into

Focuses on the breaking down of something solid into smaller fragments, highlighting fragility.

FAQs

How can I use "collapse into" in a sentence?

You can use "collapse into" to describe a sudden fall or breakdown, whether literal (e.g., "The bridge collapsed into the river") or figurative (e.g., "He collapsed into despair").

What are some alternatives to "collapse into"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "merge into", "descend into", or "devolve into".

Is it better to say "collapse in" or "collapse into"?

"Collapse into" is generally preferred when indicating a transition or result, while "collapse in" is less common and might be grammatically incorrect depending on the intended meaning. For example, "collapse into tears" is correct, whereas "collapse in tears" is less conventional.

What does it mean when someone "collapses into" laughter?

When someone "collapses into" laughter, it means they start laughing uncontrollably and intensely, often to the point of physical weakness or a feeling of being overwhelmed by the laughter.