he succumbs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he succumbs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone yielding to a force, pressure, or temptation, often in a negative context. Example: "Despite his best efforts to resist, he succumbs to the overwhelming stress of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Sometimes he succumbs.

The New York Times

He succumbs to a vestigial shame at having left.

The Guardian - Books

His emotions bleached by disillusion, he succumbs to sexual impulse.

The Guardian - Books

That he succumbs to fear in the final scene, however, seemed less credible.

The New York Times - Arts

Shortly afterwards he succumbs on the operating table for no apparent reason.

The New Yorker

Eventually, in 2008, he succumbs to a massive heart attack while out jogging.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Sometimes, he succumbed to daily exasperation.

The New York Times - Sports

He succumbed to her bite soon after.

The New York Times - Arts

Finally, he succumbed to cajolery.

The New York Times

He succumbed to bladder cancer in 2010.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But he succumbed to the sombrero.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he succumbs" to describe a character yielding to internal pressures like temptation or despair, or external forces such as illness or defeat. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is yielding to.

Common error

Avoid using "he succumbs" when a simpler term like "he gives in" or "he yields" would be more appropriate. "Succumb" often implies a sense of defeat, loss, or finality, which might not fit every situation where someone yields.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he succumbs" primarily functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically acting as the main verb describing an action. It describes the act of yielding or giving in to something, whether it be pressure, temptation, or a physical ailment, as showcased in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he succumbs" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of yielding or giving in. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in describing situations where someone is overcome by pressure, temptation, or other forces. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase carries a neutral tone and is suitable for a wide array of writing contexts. Alternatives include "he gives in", "he yields", and "he is overcome", each carrying slightly different nuances. Remember to use it carefully, ensuring the context matches the implication of defeat or finality that "succumb" often conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he gives in

Simple substitution of "succumbs" with a more common phrasal verb.

he yields

Replaces "succumbs" with a more formal synonym.

he succumbs to the pressure

More specific, indicating that external pressure is the cause of yielding.

he succumbs to temptation

Specifically indicates yielding to temptation

he capitulates

A more emphatic and formal synonym for "succumbs", suggesting a complete surrender.

he surrenders

Similar to "capitulates" but slightly less formal.

he falls prey

Implies a negative or victimizing context, where the subject is overcome by something harmful.

he is overcome

Suggests being overwhelmed, either emotionally or physically.

he bows to

Suggests reluctantly accepting or yielding to a superior force or demand.

he is defeated

Suggests a loss or failure to resist

FAQs

How to use "he succumbs" in a sentence?

Use "he succumbs" to indicate that someone is giving way to pressure, temptation, or another negative force. For example, "After days of resisting, he succumbs to temptation and eats the forbidden fruit."

What can I say instead of "he succumbs"?

You can use alternatives like "he gives in", "he yields", or "he is overcome" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he succumbs" or "he succumb"?

"He succumbs" is correct because the verb must agree with the singular subject "he" in the present tense. "He succumb" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "he succumbs to" and "he succumbs from"?

"He succumbs to" indicates yielding to something, like pressure or temptation, while "he succumbs from" implies dying as a result of something, like an illness. For example, "he succumbs to temptation" versus "he succumbs from pneumonia".