the collision happened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the collision happened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event where two or more objects came into contact with force, typically in contexts related to accidents or incidents. Example: "The investigation revealed that the collision happened at approximately 3 PM on the busy intersection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Laconic, he writes: "The collision happened.

The Guardian - Books

The collision happened at Beech Hill crossing, Springs Road, Misson Springs, Nottinghamshire, yesterday.

Independent

He identified her shoes, knit cap, gloves and sunglasses found lying in the road where the collision happened.

The New York Times

The collision happened after Patrick drove away from her pit stall and was in line to steer onto the track.

The New York Times - Sports

The collision happened after 9 p.m. and shut down part of the New Jersey Turnpike for several hours.

The New York Times

But Mr. Pogan, who was in his 11th day on the force when the collision happened, was acquitted of a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

She said the daughter of one of her customers was crossing further down Fontygary Road when they saw the collision happen.

Independent

The collision happens so fast that you may not initially recognize the underlying poeticism of the milieu, a place of suffering and healing.

The New York Times

The triggers act like tripwires and tell the detector to take a snapshot at the precise moment that the collision happens.

The Guardian

"They're born close together - that's when the collision happens - and this same inflation happens between the bubbles.

BBC

In addition, k-TAS can understand why the collision happens at each collided cycle, i.e., which descendant nodes collide with currently visited node in the abstract k-ary tree structure.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on an event, be specific about the context. Instead of just saying "the collision happened", provide details such as the location, time, and objects involved to give the reader a clearer picture.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in a way that obscures responsibility. For instance, saying "the collision happened" without specifying who or what caused it can be vague. Instead, clarify the cause: "the collision happened because the driver was distracted."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the collision happened" functions as a declarative statement asserting that a collision event took place. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing accidents, incidents, and even abstract events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the collision happened" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to report that a collision event occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for general communication. While grammatically straightforward, being specific in the context surrounding the phrase helps provide clarity and avoid obscuring responsibility. Consider alternatives like "the crash occurred" or "the impact took place" for nuanced expressions. When using the phrase, remember to specify details such as who or what was involved and when it occurred to enrich the sentence's meaning. As per Ludwig, "the collision happened" is an adequate phrase, but being mindful of the context and specifics can ensure a high-quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the crash occurred

Replaces 'collision' with 'crash', implying a more forceful impact.

the impact took place

Uses 'impact' instead of 'collision', and 'took place' instead of 'happened', formalizing the tone.

the accident transpired

Substitutes 'collision' with 'accident' and 'happened' with 'transpired', making it sound more formal and detached.

the incident occurred

Replaces "collision" with "incident", broadening the event's nature beyond just physical contact.

the event unfolded

Uses 'unfolded' to describe the happening, focusing on the progression of the event.

the vehicles collided

Focuses specifically on vehicles as the subjects involved in the collision.

there was a collision

Shifts the focus to the existence of a collision, rather than its occurrence.

a collision took place

Emphasizes the action of the collision happening, instead of the time.

the smashing occurred

Substitutes the term collision with a word that implies violent fragmentation

objects impacted

Focuses on the action of objects impacting one another.

FAQs

How can I use "the collision happened" in a sentence?

You can use "the collision happened" to describe an event where two or more objects came into contact with force. For example, "The investigation revealed that "the collision happened" at approximately 3 PM on the busy intersection."

What can I say instead of "the collision happened"?

You can use alternatives like "the crash occurred" or "the impact took place" depending on the context. These alternatives provide similar meanings while offering slight variations in tone and emphasis.

Is it better to say "the collision happened" or "the collision occurred"?

Both ""the collision happened"" and "the collision occurred" are grammatically correct. "The collision occurred" might sound slightly more formal, but the choice often depends on personal preference and the desired tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "the collision happened" and "the incident happened"?

"The collision happened" specifically refers to a forceful contact between two or more objects. "The incident happened", on the other hand, is a broader term that can refer to any noteworthy event, not necessarily involving physical contact.