collapses

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'collapses' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used as a verb to describe the sudden falling in of a structure or system, or the falling apart or breakdown of something. Example: 1. The old building collapsed under the weight of heavy snow. 2. As the economy deteriorated, many businesses collapsed, leaving people unemployed. 3. The athlete collapsed from exhaustion at the finish line. 4. The stock market collapsed, causing widespread panic among investors. 5. The bridge collapsed due to poor maintenance. 6. The patient's lung collapsed, causing difficulty in breathing. 7. The company's sales collapsed after the scandal. 8. The team's defense collapsed in the final minutes of the game. 9. The roof of the stadium collapsed during the storm. 10. The government collapsed after a vote of no confidence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our top order collapses and we lose; our middle order collapses and we lose; we bowl well and we lose; we bat well and we lose; we lose and then lose again.

The Guardian - Sport

Turkish and Northern Cypriot firms appear to be the main profit engines within the group October 1990: Polly Peck collapses owing £550m.

The Guardian - Business

As the bridge collapses and outside forces invade it, so the narrative starts to blur, different worlds impinge on each other, different voices speak.

The Guardian - Books

Freamon explaining why Cheese is talking about a murder on the phone – just before the case collapses and they lose the wiretap because the "murder" victim happens to be a dog.

The Guardian

Photograph: Reuters 2010: General Petraeus collapses while testifying before the Senate armed services committee.

The Guardian

Why do we find that one member develops, another stands still, another collapses, and so on?

The Guardian - Books

If an increase in fees doesn't come then we warn that more Southern Cross style collapses are on the cards".

The Guardian

As, moment by moment, inch by inch, Murielle works all of this out, her own sense of self disintegrates and she collapses into madness.

The Guardian - Film

Berwick-upon-Tweed, however, is an example of where the Tories (a good second in 2010, with Labour well behind) could make a gain if the Lib Dem incumbent's vote collapses.

The Guardian

It's the continued late-game collapses that are hurting LA on their quest to get a third straight MLS Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

19 September: The coalition collapses at exactly 9 01am.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sudden and catastrophic failure, "collapses" is a strong and vivid choice. However, consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the speed and nature of the failure. For instance, a gradual decline might be better described using "deteriorates" or "weakens".

Common error

Avoid using "collapses" metaphorically when describing minor setbacks or inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where there is a significant and irreversible failure, as using it in trivial scenarios diminishes its impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "collapses" functions primarily as a verb, indicating a sudden failure, breakdown, or loss of structural integrity. It describes the action of something falling apart or losing its form abruptly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used both literally and figuratively to describe a range of scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "collapses" is a versatile verb indicating a sudden and significant failure or breakdown. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When writing, it's important to consider the severity and suddenness of the event you're describing to ensure "collapses" is the most appropriate word. Alternatives like ""falls apart"" or ""breaks down"" may be more suitable for gradual or less dramatic failures. Avoid overusing "collapses" in minor situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gives way

Highlights the yielding of something under pressure or strain.

breaks down

Focuses on the functional failure of a system or mechanism.

gives out

Similar to gives way, but can also mean exhaustion or depletion.

falls apart

Emphasizes disintegration or decay rather than a sudden drop.

crumbles

Suggests a gradual disintegration into smaller pieces.

disintegrates

Emphasizes complete breakdown or decay.

implodes

Suggests inward collapse.

fails

A more general term indicating a lack of success or functionality.

succumbs

Implies yielding to an overwhelming force or pressure.

buckles

Implies a bending or deformation before collapsing.

FAQs

How can I use "collapses" in a sentence?

You can use "collapses" to describe the sudden failure of a structure, system, or entity. For example, "The building "collapsed" under the weight of the snow", or "The negotiations "broke down" and the agreement "collapsed".

What are some synonyms for "collapses"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "falls apart", "breaks down", "gives way", or "crumbles". Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the nature and speed of the failure.

Is it correct to say "the market collapses"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "the market collapses" is commonly used to describe a sudden and significant downturn in the stock market or financial system. Other options could be "the market "crashes"" or "the market "plummets"".

What's the difference between "collapses" and "declines"?

"Collapses" implies a sudden and often catastrophic failure, whereas "declines" suggests a more gradual and less dramatic decrease. A building "collapses", while a company's profits might "decline".