has fallen apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has fallen apart' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has broken down into its component parts, or to describe a situation or relationship that has become unworkable or fragmented. For example, "After years of working together, the partnership between the two companies has fallen apart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our world has fallen apart.

Independent

But now the sequel has fallen apart.

The New York Times

The defense has fallen apart.

The New York Times

His smear campaign has fallen apart.

The Guardian

But that strategy has fallen apart.

The New York Times - Tech

The immigration-reform legislation that he backed has fallen apart.

The Economist

But since then, almost everything has fallen apart.

The New York Times

"The whole package has fallen apart," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

In which case, the entire constituency principle has fallen apart.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Basically, the country itself has fallen apart and into bankruptcy.

The New York Times

Inside Syria, the education system has fallen apart amid the daily struggle to stay alive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like relationships or plans, use "has fallen apart" to convey a sense of complete breakdown and disarray. For example, "Their carefully laid plans have fallen apart due to unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid using "has fallen apart" to describe objects that are merely damaged but still retain some structural integrity. For instance, a slightly dented car should not be described as having "fallen apart".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "has fallen apart" is to act as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It typically functions as the predicate of a sentence, describing a state of disintegration or failure that has occurred in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has fallen apart" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a state of disintegration or failure. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense and serves the purpose of conveying a breakdown in physical objects, systems, relationships or plans. It maintains a neutral register and is acceptable across different contexts. Ludwig's examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its wide applicability. When seeking alternative expressions, "has disintegrated" or "has crumbled" offer similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has disintegrated

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal term indicating a breakdown into constituent parts.

has crumbled

Suggests a more gradual and less sudden breakdown than the original phrase.

has collapsed

Implies a sudden failure or breakdown, often with a sense of finality.

has broken down

Indicates a failure in function or structure, suggesting a process of deterioration.

has failed

Conveys a lack of success or the inability to achieve a desired outcome.

has unraveled

Suggests a gradual process of coming undone, like a knitted fabric.

has come undone

Similar to 'has unraveled', but can also apply to more abstract concepts.

has gone to pieces

A more figurative way to describe something falling apart, often used for emotional or mental states.

is in ruins

Emphasizes the state of devastation or destruction resulting from the breakdown.

is no longer functional

Focuses on the loss of utility or purpose due to the breakdown.

FAQs

How can I use "has fallen apart" in a sentence?

You can use "has fallen apart" to describe something that has broken into pieces or to describe a situation that has failed. For example, "The old building has fallen apart" or "Their relationship has fallen apart".

What can I say instead of "has fallen apart"?

You can use alternatives like "has disintegrated", "has crumbled", or "has collapsed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has fell apart" instead of "has fallen apart"?

No, "has fell apart" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle of "fall" is "fallen", so the correct phrase is "has fallen apart".

What's the difference between "has fallen apart" and "has broken down"?

"Has fallen apart" often implies a more complete disintegration or failure, while "has broken down" can refer to a temporary or repairable malfunction.