colliding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "colliding" 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 forcefully or to indicate a clash of ideas or events. Example: "The two cars were colliding at the intersection, causing a major traffic jam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The problem with swords made of light is that, by its nature, light is massless – it will simply pass through other light like an appalling coward, instead of colliding with it with a satisfactory "bwwwooOOUumm-TSSSK". Scientists at the MIT Centre for Ultracold Atoms, in Massachusetts, recognise the problem of light's irritating pacifism and are taking important steps to correct it.

The Guardian - Film

There are some great scenes - worlds colliding at the cinema; Rhonda taking the initiative with Cedric; McNulty and Bunk's faces when the "dawg" penny drops - although the pace remains muted.

The Guardian

More than once his mother, Gitte Lambrechts, who was a physiotherapist, had to drive him to the hospital: broken ankle bone, jammed finger, handlebar in the groin, a gaping wound in his head after colliding with a chair, and so on.

The Guardian - Sport

Air particles colliding with the hotspots heat up and shoot away from the surface, which causes the particle to recoil in the opposite direction.

The Guardian - Tech

"Following unfettered threads, colliding incandescence.

The Guardian - Music

China says that two Chinese naval jets intercepted it about 65 miles (104 km) south-east of Hainan, and that the American aircraft then veered suddenly, colliding with one of the Chinese jets, which crashed, while the Americans managed a forced landing without loss of life.

The Economist

So, either the astronomers were unbelievably lucky in catching this star during an extremely short phase in its existence, or there must be something replacing the dust.The most likely source of replacement dust is colliding asteroids.

The Economist

Cultures are kept distinct by cuisines, and cuisines are distinguished by taste.Colliding cuisinesBut cuisines, like continents, have a habit of colliding.

The Economist

Muons are created in the atmosphere by cosmic rays (high-energy particles from outer space) colliding with air molecules.

The Economist

They may end up colliding with each other.The first is the prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda.

The Economist

In less than a week, from November 4th to 7th, they shifted from smashing single protons to colliding lead ions, ie, lead atoms stripped of electrons.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "colliding", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the nature of the impact or interaction. For physical impacts, ensure clarity regarding the objects involved. For abstract collisions (e.g. ideas), emphasize the nature of the conflict or convergence.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "colliding" for abstract situations. Vary your vocabulary with words like "clashing", "converging", or "intersecting" to provide a more nuanced description of the interaction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "colliding" is as a present participle, functioning as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "worlds colliding") or as an adjective describing something that is in the process of colliding. As Ludwig AI shows, it indicates an ongoing action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "colliding" functions as a present participle to describe a forceful impact or interaction, whether physical or abstract. Ludwig AI analysis reveals it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, ensure the term accurately reflects the nature of the impact and consider alternatives like "crashing" or "clashing" for nuanced descriptions. Avoid overusing "colliding" in abstract contexts for greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crashing

Implies a more forceful and often destructive impact.

smashing into

Implies a violent and destructive impact.

slamming into

Suggests a forceful and abrupt collision.

impacting

Suggests a more general effect or influence resulting from the contact.

clashing

Refers to a conflict or disagreement, either physical or abstract.

striking

Emphasizes the act of hitting or impacting something.

converging

Highlights the coming together of multiple elements.

meeting

Suggests a planned or incidental contact.

intersecting

Refers to lines or paths crossing each other.

bumping into

Indicates a more casual or accidental collision.

FAQs

How is "colliding" used in a sentence?

The word "colliding" describes the action of two or more objects striking each other forcefully, or, in a more abstract sense, conflicting ideas or events. For example, "The cars were "crashing" at the intersection" or "The two cultures were "clashing"."

What words can I use instead of "colliding"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "colliding" include "crashing", "impacting", "clashing", "converging", or "intersecting".

What is the difference between "colliding" and "clashing"?

"Colliding" typically implies a physical impact or forceful contact, while "clashing" suggests a conflict of ideas, opinions, or interests. The word "colliding" is a more literal, physical term, and "clashing" is more abstract.

Is it appropriate to use "colliding" to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "colliding" can be used metaphorically to describe abstract concepts, such as "conflicting ideas" or opposing forces. However, consider whether a more precise term like "clashing" or "converging" might be more appropriate.