crashes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crashes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the sudden failure of a system, application, or vehicle, often in a technical or informal context. Example: "The software crashes every time I try to open it, making it impossible to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Behind me, one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in the world crashes down in a frenzy of white mist.

The Guardian - Travel

Wyndham had just outlined the violence and murkiness in Homes's dark satires of American life: a jailed paedophile, a girl who picks up used condoms and inseminates herself, car crashes, adultery, murder.

The Guardian - Books

"I have the experience, and also the crashes in Moto2, and then arrived in MotoGP.

The Guardian - Sport

However hard Ramos tried – and he tried pretty hard, handballing and kicking and pushing and protesting and flying in, getting wilder with every one, a mental soundtrack of cymbal crashes accompanying each tackle – Montero stubbornly, and comically, refused to pull out the card.

The Guardian - Sport

It was certainly noteworthy that in his recent interview in this newspaper, Clarke complained of the "ludicrous cycle of ridiculous housing booms followed by housing crashes".

The Guardian - Business

Pocket calculator, just in case the computer crashes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Elsewhere in Minnesota, the state patrol said at least two people were killed in accidents on icy roads, and troopers handled 475 crashes and more than 700 spinouts statewide by Monday evening.

The Guardian

In 1926, he joined the Aéropostale service, and between then and his marriage in April 1931, he survived spectacular crashes, desert storms, rebel attacks and pioneered the airline route from Buenos Aires to Patagonia, all of which provided material for his 1938 collection of newspaper articles, Wind, Sand and Stars.

The Guardian - Books

Computer crashes aside, there was a marked difference between those who carefully planned their first lesson and those who had not.

The Guardian

"I feel I've had enough crashes already," he joked.

The Guardian - Sport

Hence the crashes that make the opening phase of the Tour such a lottery.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about events involving "crashes", be specific about the type of crash (e.g., car crash, market crash, system crash) to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "crashes" vaguely. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is crashing to prevent ambiguity. Instead of saying "The system had crashes", specify "The software experienced crashes" or "The server had crashes".

Linguistic Context

The word "crashes" functions primarily as a noun, often referring to multiple instances of collisions, failures, or sudden declines. As shown by Ludwig, it can describe events ranging from car accidents to economic downturns or system failures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

35%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "crashes" is a versatile noun widely used to describe various forms of collisions, failures, or sudden declines. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent occurrence in contexts ranging from news reports to business analysis. Understanding the specific type of crash is crucial for clarity, and alternatives such as "collisions", "accidents", or "failures" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. While generally neutral, the formality can shift based on context, making it essential to consider the audience and purpose when using "crashes".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collisions

Refers specifically to instances of objects impacting each other.

accidents

A more general term for unintended events causing damage or injury.

failures

Indicates a lack of success or the cessation of proper functioning.

collapses

Describes a sudden loss of structure or value.

smashes

Implies a violent breaking or shattering.

wrecks

Suggests severe damage or destruction.

mishaps

Refers to minor accidents or unfortunate events.

breakdowns

Describes a cessation of function, often in machinery or systems.

disasters

Implies large-scale calamitous events.

catastrophes

Refers to events causing significant widespread damage or suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "crashes" in a sentence?

You can use "crashes" to refer to accidents (car crashes), system failures (computer crashes), or financial downturns (market crashes). For instance, "The report detailed the number of car crashes last year."

What's the difference between "crashes" and "collisions"?

"Crashes" is a broader term that can encompass various types of failures or accidents, while "collisions" specifically refer to instances where objects strike each other.

When should I use "crashes" versus "failures"?

"Crashes" often imply a sudden and forceful event, whereas "failures" can be more gradual and refer to a lack of success or proper functioning over time.

What are some alternatives to using the word "crashes"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "accidents", "failures", "collapses", or "breakdowns" to avoid repetition or provide more specificity.