smashed into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smashed into" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a forceful collision or impact between two objects or entities. Example: "The car smashed into the wall after losing control on the icy road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She smashed into a wall.

The New York Times - Magazine

Johnson smashed into the wall.

The New York Times - Sports

Barrow smashed into Hutchinson, who fumbled.

The New York Times - Sports

It smashed into loose change in seconds.

The New York Times

They found intricate reliefs smashed into pieces.

The Guardian

Then shots smashed into his shin.

The Guardian

"I almost smashed into a telephone pole".

The New York Times - Arts

One piece smashed into the front window.

The New York Times

Last month, a truck smashed into the building's employee cafeteria.

The New York Times

"I smashed into players, but in a fair way".

The New York Times - Sports

Cars smashed into one another, and some overturned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smashed into" to convey a strong sense of force and impact, especially when describing accidents, collisions, or destructive events. This phrase emphasizes the severity of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "smashed into" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "collided with" or "impacted" would be more appropriate. While acceptable, it can sometimes sound too informal or dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smashed into" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a forceful and often destructive collision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. The examples show it describing car accidents, natural disasters, and even abstract concepts like a hurricane impacting a presidential race.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smashed into" is a phrasal verb used to describe a forceful collision. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely used in English, particularly in news and media contexts, to emphasize the severity of an impact. While grammatically sound and very common, it's more appropriate for neutral to informal settings, and writers should consider more formal alternatives like "collided with" or "impacted" in academic or professional writing. The phrase conveys drama and force, and understanding its nuances can improve the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smashed against

Variant using preposition "against" instead of "into".

slammed into

Implies a sudden and forceful impact, similar to "smashed into".

crashed into

Similar to "smashed into", but often implies an accident involving vehicles.

rammed into

Suggests a deliberate or forceful impact.

plowed into

Suggests moving forward forcefully and hitting something.

collided with

A more general term for impact, less violent than "smashed into".

careened into

Describes a vehicle hitting something while moving erratically.

impacted with

A more formal or technical term for collision.

bumped into

Implies a gentle impact without damage.

met with

A very generic expression for collision. Semantic transformation is very wide.

FAQs

What does "smashed into" mean?

"Smashed into" means to collide forcefully with something, often resulting in damage. It implies a high degree of impact and destruction.

What can I say instead of "smashed into"?

You can use alternatives like "collided with", "crashed into", or "slammed into", depending on the context.

Is "smashed into" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "smashed into" might be considered too informal for some academic writing. Consider using more neutral terms like "impacted" or "collided with" in those contexts.

How does "smashed into" differ from "bumped into"?

"Smashed into" implies a forceful and damaging collision, whereas "bumped into" suggests a gentle, often accidental, contact.