What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
foundered
Example
The ship foundered in the stormy sea. [foundered: verb]
Example
The exhausted horse foundered on the track and had to be taken off. [foundered: past tense]
Example
The company foundered due to poor management and financial mismanagement. [foundered: verb]
collapse
Example
The old building collapsed after the earthquake. [collapsed: past tense]
Example
She collapsed on the floor after feeling dizzy. [collapsed: verb]
Example
The economy collapsed due to political instability and corruption. [collapsed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Collapse is more commonly used than foundered in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and is more versatile. Foundered is less common and is often used in specific industries or activities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between foundered and collapse?
Both foundered and collapse can be used in formal or informal contexts, but collapse is more versatile and can be employed in various levels of formality.
