if she collapses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if she collapses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a conditional situation regarding someone's health or physical state. Example: "We need to have a plan in place if she collapses during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When I almost cried and asked "What happens if she collapses and dies here?", the response was a shrug of the shoulders: if she dies she dies.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If she collapses, he can.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She would be revived if she collapsed.

The New York Times - Magazine

She presented the document to the admitting doctors and relied on it to prevent invasive rescue procedures if she collapsed.

Huffington Post

For most of the tournament, Serena Williams has looked as if she might collapse at any moment.

The Guardian - Sport

"If she'd collapsed anywhere other than the back of the hospital, she wouldn't have made it.

The Guardian

If a runner collapses in joy at the finish line, but no one Instagrams it, did she collapse at all?

The New Yorker

Even her determined walk is that of someone who's afraid she might collapse if she relaxes.

The New York Times

Doctors told her she could survive only if she allowed them to collapse her infected lung — the conventional treatment in those days, when antibiotics were scarce.

The New York Times - Arts

You see it at work here in Kate's restless eyes, taking constant inventory of a house that she feels might collapse if she ever relaxed her vigilance, and in her bone-dry delivery of sentimental lines.

The New York Times

No matter how worn out she got with him, he was still the closest person in the world to her, and she felt that everything would collapse if she were to bring herself to tell someone exactly how he was, if she were to be entirely disloyal.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be aware that the phrase can sound dramatic, so adjust your tone accordingly. In formal contexts, consider a more neutral option like "if she becomes unwell".

Common error

Avoid using "if she collapses" when you actually mean a metaphorical collapse, such as a business failing or a plan falling apart. Instead, use specific terms like "if the business fails" or "if the plan falls through".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if she collapses" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a hypothetical situation. It sets up a condition that, if met, will result in a particular consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if she collapses" functions as a conditional clause used to express a contingency, typically related to someone's health or physical state. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its register is generally neutral but can sound dramatic, so consider the context when choosing this phrase. It is more common in news and media sources. Alternatives like "should she faint" or "in case she passes out" are suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the event that she collapses

Replaces "if" with a more formal phrase, emphasizing a contingency.

should she collapse

Uses inversion for a more formal and somewhat literary tone.

in case she collapses

Replaces "if" with "in case", providing a slightly different nuance related to preparedness.

if she faints

Substitutes "collapses" with "faints", indicating a temporary loss of consciousness.

if she passes out

Uses the phrasal verb "passes out" for a more informal expression of losing consciousness.

if she has a blackout

Replaces "collapses" with "has a blackout", focusing on a temporary loss of awareness.

if she takes a tumble

Substitutes "collapses" with "takes a tumble", implying a fall that may not necessarily involve loss of consciousness.

if she falls down

Uses a simple and direct expression for falling.

if she succumbs

Uses a more dramatic and formal term to convey a loss of strength or resistance.

when she collapses

Substitutes "if" with "when", framing the collapse as a future event of higher probability.

FAQs

What does "if she collapses" mean?

The phrase "if she collapses" refers to a conditional situation where a woman suddenly loses physical strength or consciousness and falls down. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate a sudden failure or breakdown.

What can I say instead of "if she collapses"?

You can use alternatives like "should she faint", "in case she passes out", or "if she becomes unwell" depending on the context.

Is "if she collapses" formal or informal?

"If she collapses" is generally considered neutral in formality. However, it can sound somewhat dramatic. In more formal situations, consider alternatives like "if she becomes unwell".

How to use "if she collapses" in a sentence?

You can use "if she collapses" in a sentence to describe a plan of action or a potential outcome. For example, "We need to have a plan in place if she collapses during the event" or "If she collapses, call for medical assistance immediately."