collapse of civilization

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collapse of civilization" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about societal decline, historical events, or speculative scenarios regarding the future of human societies. Example: "Many experts warn that climate change could lead to the collapse of civilization as we know it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

It is not given to every writer to be present at the collapse of civilization.

The New Yorker

He's been expecting the collapse of civilization or the end of the world for as long as I've known him.

The New York Times

She dumps him, which upsets him far more than the overnight, cannibalistic collapse of civilization, and rightly so.

The New Yorker

Over a mere decade, the collapse of civilization has moved from crackpot idea to something reasonable people can contemplate.

The New York Times

Ourselves, reduced to Stone Age lifestyles after the collapse of civilization under the weight of ice or nuclear or biological apocalypse?

The New York Times - Science

By 2100 — a short 81 years in the future — he sees three potential outcomes: human extinction, the collapse of civilization with limited survival, or a thriving human society.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Tree rings have shown us that droughts sometimes lasted for decades in North America and Asia, which most likely contributed to the collapse of civilizations.

The New York Times

And it's not just California: a society's inability to feed its people from local resources has contributed to the collapse of civilizations throughout history.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, creation or collapse of civilizations is interrelated to availability of water or deterioration of its quality, rendering it unsuitable for agricultural and domestic uses.

Environmental Sciences Europe

In fact, adopting a one-dimensional as opposed to a multidimensional view has been linked to the collapse of civilizations, and renewal and growth tied to adoption of a range of sources of innovation.

Forbes

Under this broad theoretical umbrella, single-factor or multifactorial explanations of everything from motor skills to the rise and collapse of civilizations are giving way to systemic explanations in which outcomes are seen as emergents of self-organizing processes among lower-order components.

Smart Learning Environments

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "collapse of civilization", ensure the context clearly defines the scope and scale of the collapse being discussed. Is it a global event, or specific to a region or culture?

Common error

Avoid using "collapse of civilization" lightly. Save it for scenarios where societal structures genuinely fail, not just for expressing disagreement with current trends or policies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collapse of civilization" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing a state or event. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "collapse of civilization" is a noun phrase widely employed across various contexts, most prominently in News & Media and Academia. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes the disintegration of societal structures. Its usage ranges from historical analysis to speculative discussions about the future. When using the phrase "collapse of civilization", it is essential to consider its weight and ensure that it accurately reflects the severity of the situation. While grammatically correct and relatively common, the phrase should not be used lightly, to avoid over-dramatization and to maintain credibility. Related phrases, such as "societal breakdown" or "decline of society", can offer more nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

societal breakdown

Replaces "civilization" with a more general term, focusing on the breakdown of social structures.

decline of society

Emphasizes a gradual decline rather than a sudden collapse.

failure of societal order

Highlights the failure of established systems and norms.

erosion of civilization

Implies a slow and steady wearing away of societal foundations.

downfall of human society

Focuses on the negative consequences for humans.

dissolution of social structures

A more formal way of describing the breakdown of society.

end of organized society

Highlights the loss of organization and structure.

civilizational decay

Highlights the decaying condition of civilization.

the great unraveling

A more metaphorical and dramatic way to describe societal collapse.

terminal decline of human civilization

Emphasizes the finality and irreversible nature of the decline.

FAQs

What does "collapse of civilization" mean?

The "collapse of civilization" refers to the disintegration of societal structures, institutions, and norms, leading to widespread disorder and a decline in living standards. This can include economic, political, and social upheaval.

What are some potential causes of the "collapse of civilization"?

Potential causes include environmental disasters, resource depletion, pandemics, widespread war, economic crises, and social unrest. These factors can often interact and amplify each other.

How is "decline of civilization" different from "collapse of civilization"?

"Decline of civilization" implies a gradual weakening of societal structures over time, while "collapse of civilization" suggests a more sudden and catastrophic breakdown. The "decline of society" can potentially be reversed, whereas a collapse is more definitive.

What are some signs that a civilization might be approaching a "collapse of civilization"?

Signs can include increasing social inequality, political instability, environmental degradation, declining public trust, and a loss of shared values. These trends often precede a more dramatic "societal breakdown".