The verb form of 'collision' is collide.
Understanding the Verb 'Collide'
The term collision describes the act or instance of two or more objects striking together. Its corresponding verb, collide, refers to the action itself. When objects collide, they strike one another or one against the other with a forceful impact, coming into violent contact or crashing. This verb is often used without a direct object, emphasizing the reciprocal action or the event itself.
Forms of the Verb 'Collide'
The verb 'collide' follows standard English conjugation patterns. Here are its primary forms:
- Base Form: collide (e.g., "The planets might collide.")
- Past Tense: collided (e.g., "The two cars collided with an ear-splitting crash.")
- Present Participle: colliding (e.g., "We saw the asteroids colliding.")
- Past Participle: collided (e.g., "They have collided many times.")
For a comprehensive understanding of the word and its usage, you can refer to reputable sources like Merriam-Webster's definition of collide.
Noun vs. Verb: A Clear Distinction
Understanding the difference between the noun 'collision' and the verb 'collide' is crucial for accurate communication.
| Category | Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun | collision | An act or instance of colliding; a crash. | The collision caused significant damage. |
| Verb | collide | To strike one another or one against the other with a forceful impact; to crash. | The two vehicles collided at the intersection. |
Practical Insights on Using 'Collide'
The verb 'collide' is used in various contexts, from physical impacts to abstract conflicts.
- Physical Impact: This is the most common use.
- "The meteor collided with the Earth's atmosphere."
- "Emergency services responded quickly after the trains collided."
- Figurative Conflict: 'Collide' can also describe disagreements or conflicts between ideas, groups, or people.
- "Their different political views often collide during debates."
- "The two corporate strategies were bound to collide eventually."
- Unexpected Meetings: Sometimes, it refers to an unplanned or abrupt meeting.
- "I kept colliding with old friends at the conference."
Using 'collide' ensures precision when describing events where objects or ideas come into forceful, often destructive, contact.
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