collide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of two or more objects coming into contact with each other with force, often resulting in damage or a significant impact. Example: "The two cars collided at the intersection, causing a major traffic jam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In one new hybrid show on Channel Seven the dual genres of food and renovation will collide in Kitchen Revolution: a reality format which will screen every week night until the restaurants built by the contestants are ready for the viewers to visit and eat the cooked by the reality stars.

The Guardian

There's also a chance that both worlds might collide with Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos confirming that there have been discussions about including Netflix characters in Marvel's cinematic universe.

The Guardian - Film

Since the start of 2014, these streams have begun to veer into each other and collide.

The Guardian - Opinion

Belgium: Rosberg punctures Hamilton's left rear tyre when they collide on the second lap.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead the Northampton wing, backing up spectacularly, spurned the two men inside him and went for the corner only to collide painfully with Argentina's lock Patricio Albacete.

The Guardian - Sport

But this is changing – and the picture is becoming more complex as minority and mainstream cultural ideas collide.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's equivalent to not showing children what happens if cars collide and people aren't wearing seat belts.

The Guardian - Tech

Think of the class war not as the hope of hanging the bourgeoisie from lampposts but in the language of John Rawls, an American liberal philosopher: the interests of different groups often "collide", and it is the duty of a democratic government to "adjudicate" between rival claims.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I'm pleased with his answer, coming as it does as late Leigh and late Turner collide.

The Guardian - Film

Fiction and reality started to collide.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"But I fully expect that as president there will be several occasions when we would collide".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical impacts, specify the objects that "collide" to provide a clear picture of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "collide" in overly abstract or vague scenarios where a more precise term like "intersect", "differ", or "diverge" would be more appropriate. Ensure the context implies a sense of impact or conflict.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "collide" is as an intransitive verb, describing the action of two or more objects or concepts impacting each other. Ludwig examples show it used both literally (physical collisions) and figuratively (conflict of ideas).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collide" is a versatile verb used to describe both physical impacts and clashes of ideas. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to select the most appropriate term when abstract or figurative collisions are implied, ensuring it accurately conveys the intended sense of impact or conflict. Consider synonyms such as "crash into", "clash", or "intersect" to refine your message. The wide range of examples demonstrates its consistent and reliable application in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crash into

This alternative emphasizes a forceful impact, implying potential damage.

strike

This emphasizes a direct hit, often unexpected or forceful.

smash against

This suggests a violent collision, highlighting the destructive aspect.

clash

This term can refer to both physical and metaphorical collisions, highlighting the conflict.

bump into

This denotes a minor or accidental collision, often with less force.

meet head-on

This highlights a direct confrontation, whether physical or metaphorical.

come into conflict

This shifts the meaning to a figurative collision, focusing on opposing viewpoints or interests.

be incompatible

This alternative is used when ideas or systems cannot coexist, creating a metaphorical collision.

impact

This is a more formal alternative, indicating a significant effect or influence resulting from the meeting.

intersect

This term suggests crossing paths, which can sometimes lead to a collision.

FAQs

How to use "collide" in a sentence?

Use "collide" to describe a forceful impact between two or more objects, or a clash of ideas or interests. For example, "The cars "collided" at the intersection" or "Their opinions "collided" during the meeting".

What can I say instead of "collide"?

You can use alternatives like "crash into", "clash", or "come into conflict" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "collide with" or "collide against"?

"Collide with" is the more common and grammatically preferred phrasing. "Collide against" is less frequent and can sound awkward in many contexts.

What's the difference between "collide" and "meet"?

"Meet" implies a coming together without necessarily involving force or conflict. "Collide", on the other hand, suggests a forceful impact or a significant disagreement.