collide with

USAGE SUMMARY

"collide with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to crash into something. For example, "The car collided with the tree in the middle of the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's when capitalism would collide with patriotism".

The New York Times - Sports

Galaxies frequently collide with one another.

Harvard University

The smallest particles collide with gas molecules.

Britannica

Now past promises collide with present economic realities.

The Washington Post

Media-packaged persona and authentic personality collide, with dire effects.

Independent

But additional stimulus proposals collide with rising concerns about deficits.

The New York Times

This can sometimes collide with ideas about social realism.

The New York Times

In Alaska, hundreds of drivers collide with them each year.

The Economist

The idyllic and the angry collide with deadly consequences.

The New York Times

But on the road, my "room" may collide with yours.

The New York Times - Tech

Her long, elastic thought refrains collide with shorter, percussive fragments.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "collide with" to describe both physical impacts and abstract conflicts or clashes. For example, "The car collided with the wall" or "His ambition collided with reality".

Common error

Avoid using "collide with" when simply meaning 'to meet' or 'to interact' in a non-physical or non-conflictual way. "The teams collaborated" is better than "The teams collided" in a positive teamwork scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collide with" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a phrasal verb. It describes the action of one thing striking or coming into forceful contact with another. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage in both literal (physical collisions) and figurative (conceptual conflicts) senses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "collide with" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe physical impacts or figurative conflicts. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans diverse contexts, from news reporting to scientific literature. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid misapplication in scenarios lacking a sense of impact or confrontation. Consider alternatives like "bump into" or "interact with" for milder interactions. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptance in standard English. Remember to use it thoughtfully to accurately convey the intended meaning, choosing alternatives as needed to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crash into

Implies a forceful impact, often suggesting damage or destruction.

smash into

Implies a violent and destructive collision.

strike against

Suggests a forceful impact, often with the intention of causing harm or damage.

impact upon

Suggests a significant effect or influence, not necessarily physical.

bump into

Indicates a minor, often accidental collision.

come into contact with

A more formal way of saying "touch", often used in scientific or technical contexts.

run into

Can mean a collision, but also an encounter.

clash with

Implies a conflict or incompatibility, either physically or ideologically.

be in conflict with

Indicates disagreement or opposition, rather than physical contact.

meet with

Suggests a planned or arranged encounter, often in a professional context, devoid of physical impact.

FAQs

How can I use "collide with" in a sentence?

You can use "collide with" to describe a physical impact, such as "The asteroid "collided with" the Earth", or to describe a conflict or disagreement, such as "His political views "collided with" those of his colleagues".

What's a less forceful alternative to "collide with"?

If you want to express a gentler interaction or encounter, you could use phrases like "bump into" or "come into contact with".

Is it appropriate to use "collide with" in formal writing?

Yes, "collide with" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing physical impacts or significant conflicts. However, consider the tone and choose alternatives like "impact upon" if a more neutral tone is desired.

What is the difference between "collide with" and "clash with"?

"Collide with" often suggests a more sudden or forceful interaction, while "clash with" implies a sustained disagreement or conflict.