has crumbled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has crumbled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has broken down or fallen apart, either literally or metaphorically, often indicating a loss of strength or stability. Example: "The old building has crumbled over the years, leaving only a few walls standing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now the partnership has crumbled.

The Economist

Your power has crumbled.

The New York Times

The Warsaw Pact has crumbled.

The New York Times

Indeed, our education cornerstone has crumbled.

University of California, Berkeley

Unemployment has soared and infrastructure has crumbled.

Independent

By nightfall she has crumbled into herself.

The New York Times

In his absence, Zexi has crumbled.

The New York Times - Magazine

That conviction has crumbled in recent weeks.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, the quality of their tier-one capital has crumbled.

The Economist

That is partly why so much of it has crumbled.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But that obstacle has crumbled in Nicaragua.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has crumbled" when you want to emphasize a gradual deterioration or breakdown of something, whether physical or abstract. It implies a loss of integrity or stability over time.

Common error

Avoid using "has crumbled" when describing a sudden, catastrophic event. Instead, opt for phrases like "has collapsed" or "was destroyed" to better reflect the abrupt nature of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has crumbled" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It describes a completed action in the past that has relevance in the present. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing the deterioration or collapse of both physical structures and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has crumbled" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the deterioration or breakdown of something over time. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While synonyms like "has fallen apart" or "has disintegrated" can be used, "has crumbled" effectively conveys a gradual loss of integrity. Remember to avoid using it for sudden collapses, and consider the nuances of similar phrases to choose the most appropriate wording for your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has disintegrated

Implies a more complete breakdown into smaller parts, suggesting a loss of structure and cohesion.

has fallen apart

Indicates a breakdown into separate pieces, suggesting a loss of unity or functionality.

has disintegrated

Implies a complete loss of cohesion, often referring to abstract concepts or systems.

has collapsed

Suggests a sudden and complete failure, often implying a loss of structural support.

has deteriorated

Implies a gradual decline in quality or condition, suggesting a progressive weakening.

has decayed

Indicates a slow process of decomposition or decline, suggesting a natural process of breakdown.

has eroded

Implies a gradual wearing away or destruction, often by external forces.

has broken down

Suggests a failure of a system or mechanism, implying a loss of functionality.

has waned

Indicates a gradual decrease in power, influence, or intensity, suggesting a weakening over time.

has faded

Implies a loss of brightness, clarity, or importance, suggesting a gradual disappearance.

FAQs

How can I use "has crumbled" in a sentence?

You can use "has crumbled" to describe the deterioration of something over time, such as "The ancient castle "has crumbled" due to centuries of neglect" or "The politician's support "has crumbled" after the scandal".

What are some alternatives to "has crumbled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has disintegrated", "has fallen apart", or "has collapsed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "had crumbled" instead of "has crumbled"?

Yes, "had crumbled" is grammatically correct. Use "had crumbled" when referring to something that crumbled in the past before another past event. For example, "By the time they arrived, the building "had crumbled" completely".

What's the difference between "has crumbled" and "is crumbling"?

"Has crumbled" indicates that something has already deteriorated, while "is crumbling" suggests that something is currently in the process of deteriorating. For example, "The wall "has crumbled"" (it's already broken down), whereas "The wall "is crumbling"" (it's currently breaking down).