possibly collapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibly collapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or structure that may fail or break down under certain conditions. Example: "If the pressure continues to build, the structure could possibly collapse under the strain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Obamacare will enter a death spiral and possibly collapse.

The Economist

If the buildings had tipped or tumbled sideways instead, Mr. Levy said, "you would have seen tremendous damage outside the zone, and you would have had those buildings possibly collapse".

The New York Times

Still, from someone so knowledgeable as Chamie, as I read I kept looking for the acknowledgment that while there are challenges associated with contracting population, the fact is that continued growth of human population will lead to severe crises and possibly collapse of human civilization.

Yale University

Authored by Mark Dubowitz, of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the memo argued that "the very structure of the regime invites instability, crisis and possibly collapse," and urged the White House to work against the reëlection this year of President Hassan Rouhani, the chief sponsor of the nuclear deal on the Iranian side.

The New Yorker

Kleinbaum and Frezza took a look at the current state of drug labs — long lag in results, high cost, lots of middle men — and realized the model most researchers are working with would quite possibly collapse within 30 years.

TechCrunch

"Very strong sanctions could possibly collapse or cause instability in the regime.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And the integration of supply chains has made it clear that NAFTA saved the U.S. auto industry from possibly collapsing and taking all those manufacturing jobs with it.

The Washington Post

Contrary to that complacent view — apparently shared to varying degrees by some of Mr. Yoho's ultra-right GOP colleagues — not extending the U.S. government's legal authority to borrow would produce turmoil around the globe, forcing up interest rates, crunching credit, closing businesses and, possibly, collapsing banks.

The Washington Post

I would "think" the same thoughts about the bridge possibly collapsing but I wouldn't have ANY of the same corresponding anxious "feelings" in my gut.

Huffington Post

A dog with a dangerously low temperature will also be very subdued, and possibly collapsed.

WikiHow

The comparison demand vs. capacity confirms the susceptibility of this type of building to extensive damage and possibly to collapse, as frequently observed.

Engineering Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "possibly collapse" when you want to express a degree of uncertainty about a structure, system, or plan failing. For stronger emphasis on certainty, consider "likely to collapse" or "imminent collapse".

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple adverbs of probability (e.g., "very possibly collapse"). Choose the single best word to convey the appropriate level of uncertainty and enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly collapse" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a verb, indicating a potential action. It suggests a degree of uncertainty regarding the event's occurrence, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "possibly collapse" functions as an adverb-verb combination used to express a potential but uncertain failure or breakdown. Grammatically correct and assessed positively by Ludwig AI, it's found most frequently in "News & Media" and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "potentially fail" or "conceivably crumble" offer similar meanings, "possibly collapse" maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Effective use involves avoiding overuse of qualifiers and understanding the degree of uncertainty it conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potentially fail

Focuses on the potential for failure, highlighting the uncertain outcome.

conceivably crumble

Suggests a gradual breakdown or disintegration.

imaginably fall

Emphasizes the possibility within the realm of imagination or speculation.

perhaps implode

Indicates a sudden and catastrophic inward collapse.

theoretically give way

Highlights the theoretical possibility of yielding under pressure.

might disintegrate

Emphasizes the breaking apart or decomposition of something.

could destabilize

Focuses on the loss of stability, leading to potential collapse.

may capitulate

Suggests surrender or yielding, leading to a collapse of resistance.

prospectively cave

Emphasizes the forward-looking aspect of a possible collapse.

feasibly crash

Implies a rapid and forceful failure or collapse.

FAQs

How can I use "possibly collapse" in a sentence?

Use "possibly collapse" to indicate that something has the potential to fail or break down. For example: "If the support beams are weakened, the building could "possibly collapse"."

What are some alternatives to "possibly collapse"?

You can use alternatives like "potentially fail", "conceivably crumble", or "might disintegrate" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "possibly collapse" or "possible collapse"?

"Possibly collapse" is generally more appropriate when used as an adverb modifying the verb. "Possible collapse" functions as an adjective modifying a noun.

What does "possibly collapse" imply about the certainty of an event?

"Possibly collapse" suggests a degree of uncertainty. While it indicates a potential for failure, it does not convey the same level of certainty as phrases like "likely to collapse" or "certain to collapse".