sure to collapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sure to collapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is very likely to fail or fall apart. Example: "Without proper support, the old building is sure to collapse during the next storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Some weaker regional federations, however, seem sure to collapse.

The Economist

When that happened, Reconstruction was almost sure to collapse.

The New York Times - Books

Ethiopia is sure to collapse," spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage told Reuters.

The Guardian

SAY this for Stephen C. Hilbert, the master salesman who built Conseco Inc. into a giant insurance company even as critics dismissed it as a house of paper sure to collapse some day: He believed his own sales pitch.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Other Democrats said they remained uncertain of whether they could turn the health care measure into a political benefit ahead of the November elections, but they were sure that allowing it to collapse would be a serious misstep.

The New York Times

They are surprising themselves and the culture every day by not falling apart as they take on tasks that the prefeminist world was sure would lead them to collapse in a heap, needing smelling salts.

The Washington Post

I'm not so sure she's going to collapse".

Los Angeles Times

Afterwards Al was pouring water and making sure I wasn't going to collapse at the finish line like I had done in London four years ago".

The Guardian - Sport

Most potential defectors will be loth to jump ship unless they feel sure the government is about to collapse.Mr Anwar says it is not that important if he does not get enough defections by September 16th.

The Economist

Sure enough, AI investment began to collapse.

Forbes

The creaking of the wood was so bad I was pretty sure the bunk beds were going to collapse.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sure to collapse" to convey a strong likelihood of failure or disintegration. It's suitable when the context implies a degree of certainty based on existing conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "sure to collapse" when the outcome is merely possible, not probable. Using it for uncertain scenarios can weaken your argument and make your statement seem exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

"Sure to collapse" functions as a predictive phrase, indicating a high probability of something failing or falling apart. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in various examples, primarily in news contexts. It suggests an expected outcome based on current conditions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sure to collapse" effectively communicates a strong likelihood of failure or disintegration. Ludwig AI validates its use primarily in news and media, with occasional appearances in wiki and scientific contexts. While grammatically correct and understandable, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for broad use, though more formal settings might benefit from more precise synonyms. If you want to convey a strong degree of certainly when something is about to fail or fall apart, "sure to collapse" is indeed correct to use, if not, consider an alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain to fail

Emphasizes the inevitability of failure, similar to "sure to collapse".

bound to crumble

Suggests a gradual disintegration, akin to a structure collapsing.

destined to fall

Implies a predetermined outcome of falling, similar to collapsing under pressure.

guaranteed to implode

Highlights a violent, inward collapse, adding intensity.

doomed to shatter

Suggests a sudden and forceful breaking apart, like a collapse.

fated to disintegrate

Emphasizes a slow process of decay and eventual collapse.

likely to break down

Focuses on the functional failure of a system or structure.

poised to topple

Suggests instability and imminent falling, similar to a collapse.

on the verge of failure

Indicates an immediate risk of collapsing or failing.

headed for disaster

Points towards an inevitable negative outcome, including potential collapse.

FAQs

What does "sure to collapse" mean?

The phrase "sure to collapse" indicates a high probability or certainty that something will fail, fall apart, or disintegrate. It implies that the conditions are such that the outcome is almost inevitable.

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

You can use "sure to collapse" to describe systems, structures, or plans that are likely to fail. For example, "Without proper support, the old building is sure to collapse during the next storm."

What are some alternatives to "sure to collapse"?

Alternatives include "certain to fail", "bound to crumble", or "destined to fall". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "sure to collapse" formal or informal?

"Sure to collapse" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or scientific writing, consider using alternatives like "certain to fail" or "likely to disintegrate" for greater precision.