"bump into" vs "collide"

Question

"bump into" vs "collide"

Both 'bump into' and 'collide' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Bump into' is commonly used in informal situations to mean accidentally meeting someone or something, while 'collide' is more formal and is used to describe a forceful impact between two objects.

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

Use 'bump into' when you want to describe accidentally running into someone or something, often in a casual or informal setting.

Examples:

I bumped into an old friend at the supermarket.
Be careful not to bump into the table in the dark.
I didn't see you there, I almost bumped into you.
She bumped into a chair in the dark.
I hope we don't bump into each other at the party.

Alternatives:

run into
meet by chance
encounter unexpectedly
come across
stumble upon

Use 'collide' when you want to describe a strong impact or crash between two objects, often in a more formal or technical setting.

Examples:

The two cars collided at the intersection.
The meteorite will collide with Earth's atmosphere.
The ship collided with an iceberg.
The football players collided during the game.
The plane narrowly avoided colliding with a bird.

Alternatives:

crash into
smash into
hit
ram into
impact with

Answer 1

bump into

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal situations to describe accidentally meeting someone or something.

Answer 2

collide

This phrase is correct and is used in a more formal context to describe a forceful impact between two objects.

"bump into" vs "collide"

bump into

collide

Related Comparisons