prone to collapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone to collapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is likely to fail or fall apart under certain conditions. Example: "The old bridge is prone to collapse during heavy storms due to its deteriorating structure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As they thin, ice shelves become prone to collapse.

The Guardian

"But you've seen the state of that bed – it's got 'Prone to collapse' all over it!" "It wasn't prone to collapse," Tennant said.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Built on dirt floors, these structures are prone to collapse and catching fire.

Harvard Business Review

The Healey was prone to collapse, though Mark intrepidly drove it to high school.

The New York Times - Travel

Labour says: Juries were baffled by complex evidence, trials were prone to collapse.

The Guardian - Opinion

The banks are poorly regulated and prone to collapse; privatisation has been much delayed.

The Economist

Constructed without a building code, these structures were often unsound and prone to collapse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Stalled replication forks can fold into deleterious conformations and are also unstable structures that are prone to collapse or break.

Stanford University

Einstein discovered that the cosmos as his theory described it would be unstable, prone to collapse under its own gravity.

The New York Times - Science

These loess regions underlie highly populated areas and major infrastructure links, and are prone to collapse causing subsidence.

Elsevier Geo-Engineering Book Series

"The coexistence of multiple patterns at these scales makes ecosystems more robust and less prone to collapse, and that is the significance of this study," Huisman said.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prone to collapse" to describe structures, systems, or concepts that have inherent weaknesses making them likely to fail under stress or pressure. For example, "The aging infrastructure is prone to collapse during earthquakes."

Common error

Avoid using "prone to collapse" for situations that are merely unstable or uncertain, but not physically at risk of breaking down. For instance, instead of saying "The negotiation is prone to collapse", consider more appropriate alternatives like "The negotiation is likely to fail" or "The negotiation is unstable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to collapse" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a noun. It indicates that the subject possesses a characteristic making it likely to fail or break down. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically sound and contextually appropriate across diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prone to collapse" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe something with a high likelihood of failing or breaking down. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its usage spans a variety of contexts, including News & Media and Science, with a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While versatile, it's crucial to apply it accurately, avoiding overuse with abstract concepts that don't involve physical failure. Instead, consider alternatives like ""likely to fail"" or ""susceptible to failure"" when appropriate. The high source quality and consistent usage patterns solidify its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in danger of collapsing

Directly conveys a threat of collapsing.

likely to fail

Focuses on the probability of not succeeding or functioning properly.

susceptible to failure

Highlights vulnerability and sensitivity to breaking down.

liable to break down

Emphasizes the responsibility or tendency to cease functioning.

vulnerable to disintegration

Stresses the potential for falling apart or losing cohesion.

inclined to crumble

Suggests a tendency to break into small pieces or lose structure.

apt to give way

Indicates a strong likelihood of yielding or succumbing under pressure.

at risk of falling apart

Directly conveys the danger of losing integrity and separating into pieces.

tending to destabilize

Highlights the characteristic of losing stability.

predisposed to give way

Indicates the presence of conditions that makes something more likely to fail or collapse.

FAQs

How can I use "prone to collapse" in a sentence?

Use "prone to collapse" to describe something with a high likelihood of failing or breaking down, such as "The old bridge is "prone to collapse" under heavy loads".

What phrases can I use instead of "prone to collapse"?

Alternatives include "likely to fail", "susceptible to failure", or "in danger of collapsing", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "prone to collapse"?

Yes, it is correct. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase "prone to collapse" is acceptable in written English to describe things that are likely to fail or break down.

What's the difference between "prone to collapse" and "likely to collapse"?

"Prone to collapse" suggests an inherent weakness or predisposition towards failure, while "likely to collapse" simply indicates a high probability of failure without necessarily implying an underlying flaw. Although subtle, "prone to collapse" may emphasize the presence of inherent vulnerabilities.