What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
downfall
Example
The company's downfall was due to poor management decisions. [downfall: noun]
Example
His addiction to drugs was his downfall. [downfall: noun]
collapse
Example
The building collapsed due to poor construction. [collapse: verb]
Example
After the marathon, he collapsed from exhaustion. [collapsed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Collapse is more commonly used than downfall in everyday language. Collapse is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while downfall is less common and often used in a figurative sense.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between downfall and collapse?
Both downfall and collapse can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, collapse may be more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts due to its association with physical structures and systems.
