collapse of services

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collapse of services" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where services, such as utilities or systems, fail or cease to function effectively. Example: "The city experienced a collapse of services during the storm, leaving many residents without power or water."

✓ Grammatically correct

Conflict zones

Economic downturns

System failures

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is also pressing the opposition in Syria to avoid harsh retaliation against the army, the police and the municipal agencies of Mr. Assad's government that could cause a security vacuum and a collapse of services.

The New York Times

UNICEF now estimates that the entire population of the Central African Republic, about 4.6 million people including over 2.3 million children, is directly affected by the conflict due to the collapse of services and law and order.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"There's a potential collapse of service in as little as six weeks time," he warned.

BBC

Widespread collapse of social services creates 'twin disaster' in Zimbabwe HARARE, Zimbabwe, 5 December 2008 – After a widespread breakdown in social services, the Government of Zimbabwe declared a national cholera crisis on Wednesday.

Unicef

HMRC plans to reduce spending on customer services by a third over the next five years, despite MPs on the Commons public accounts committee criticising the collapse of helpline services in 2014/15 when staff levels were slashed by 5,600.

The Guardian

The collapse of medical services has also affected Greece's large migrant community.

The Guardian

The cities are crippled, too, by a collapse of municipal services that hints at a larger failure of governance in the country.

The New York Times

And on occasion, as with what happened on London's tube network just four years back, they can lead to outright collapse of the services involved.

The Guardian

GENEVA — Thousands of Damascus residents are fleeing over the border into Lebanon to escape the latest upsurge in violence and the collapse of basic services back home, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday.

The New York Times

Of the 1.7 million additional deaths reported in the survey, 200,000 were caused by acts of violence, whereas the rest were attributed to the war-related collapse of health services and food supplies.

The New York Times

But it will not solve Primorsky's real crisis: a collapse of basic services in what many call the most mismanaged, neglected and corrupt of Russia's 89 regions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "collapse of services", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific services are failing (e.g., healthcare, infrastructure, social services) to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "collapse of services" as a vague, catch-all term. Instead, specify which services are affected and provide details about the nature and consequences of the collapse. For example, avoid saying "the collapse of services led to chaos" without indicating what services collapsed and how chaos ensued.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collapse of services" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a state of failure or breakdown affecting essential services, such as healthcare, utilities, or public infrastructure, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "collapse of services" is a noun phrase used to describe a severe breakdown or failure in the provision of essential services. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage. While the phrase is relatively rare, it is commonly found in news reports, formal business documents, and scientific analyses. It is important to use the phrase with specificity, clearly indicating which services are affected to avoid vagueness. Related phrases include "breakdown of services" and "failure of services", offering slight variations in meaning. When employing this phrase, be sure to provide context and specify the services involved for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breakdown of services

Focuses on the interruption or cessation of services.

failure of services

Emphasizes the inability of services to function as intended.

disruption of services

Highlights the disturbance or interruption of regular service delivery.

interruption of services

Similar to disruption, but may imply a temporary cessation.

cessation of services

Indicates a complete and often permanent halt to service provision.

deterioration of services

Emphasizes a decline in the quality and availability of services.

erosion of services

Suggests a gradual wearing away or weakening of service provision.

impairment of services

Focuses on the diminished functionality of services.

decline in service provision

Highlights a decrease in the level or extent of services offered.

systemic service failure

Emphasizes a widespread and fundamental problem in service delivery across an entire system.

FAQs

How can I use "collapse of services" in a sentence?

You can use "collapse of services" to describe situations where essential utilities or systems fail. For instance, "The war led to a complete "collapse of services", leaving residents without basic necessities."

What phrases are similar to "collapse of services"?

Alternatives include "breakdown of services", "failure of services", or "disruption of services", depending on the specific context and the degree of failure.

What causes a "collapse of services"?

A "collapse of services" can be caused by various factors, including natural disasters, war, economic crises, or systemic mismanagement. Often, it's a combination of factors that leads to such a severe breakdown.

What are the consequences of a "collapse of services"?

The consequences can be severe, ranging from public health crises and economic instability to social unrest and humanitarian emergencies. The specific impacts depend on which services collapse and the vulnerability of the affected population.