What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
collapse
Example
The old house collapsed after years of neglect. [collapse: verb]
Example
The collapse of the bridge was caused by a severe storm. [collapse: noun]
fail
Example
I failed the math exam because I didn't study enough. [fail: verb]
Example
His business venture ended in failure. [failure: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fail is more commonly used than collapse in everyday language. Fail is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of situations, while collapse is more specific and often used in the context of physical structures or objects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between collapse and fail?
While collapse is associated with a more formal tone due to its specific usage, fail can be used in both formal and informal contexts.