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B1 noun (plural) or verb (third-person singular) #36 most common 11 min read

clashes

Top 36

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips clashes in 30 Seconds

Explanation clashes in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'clashes' as a word for when two things are not good together. For example, if you wear a red hat and a pink shirt, some people might say the colors 'clash'. This means they look bad together. You can also use it when two people have a small fight or a big disagreement. It is like saying 'they do not match' or 'they are fighting'. It is a useful word for talking about clothes and simple problems between friends. Remember: 'The red shirt clashes with the blue pants.'

At the A2 level, 'clashes' is used to describe when two things happen at the same time and you cannot do both. This is very common for students. If you have a soccer game at 4:00 and a music lesson at 4:00, you have a 'clash'. You can also use it to talk about people who are very different and don't get along. For example, 'My brother and I are very different, so we often have clashes.' It is also used in news stories about small fights in the street between groups of people.

At the B1 level, you should understand 'clashes' as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it often refers to 'violent clashes' seen in the news, which are physical fights between groups like protesters and police. As a verb, it frequently describes things that are incompatible. For example, 'His modern management style clashes with the traditional culture of the company.' Here, it's not a physical fight, but a difference in how things work. You should also be comfortable using 'clashes with' for scheduling and fashion mismatches.

At the B2 level, 'clashes' is used to discuss more complex ideas like 'clashes of interest' or 'cultural clashes'. A clash of interest happens when someone has two different jobs or goals that compete with each other. You will also see this word used in sports journalism to describe high-stakes matches ('A clash between the top two teams'). At this level, you should be able to use the word to describe abstract tensions in society, politics, or literature, recognizing that a 'clash' implies a fundamental and often noisy or visible opposition.

At the C1 level, 'clashes' is used with high precision to describe nuances in diplomacy, philosophy, and advanced aesthetics. You might analyze a 'clash of ideologies' in a political science essay or discuss how a composer uses 'clashing chords' to create tension in a piece of music. The word implies a sharp, jarring encounter that demands resolution. You should be able to distinguish between a 'clash' (a sharp encounter) and a 'friction' (a continuous, perhaps less intense tension). It is also used to describe the 'clash of steel' in historical or fantasy writing.

At the C2 level, you can use 'clashes' to explore the deepest levels of linguistic and conceptual conflict. You might discuss the 'clash of paradigms' in scientific revolutions or the 'clash of ontological perspectives' in philosophy. At this level, the word is used to describe the very essence of opposition where two systems of thought or reality cannot coexist without significant change. You would also be familiar with its use in highly idiomatic or literary contexts, using it to evoke specific imagery of impact, noise, and irreconcilable difference across various professional and creative domains.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

clashes in 30 Seconds

Clashes can be physical fights or strong disagreements between people.
The word also describes things that don't match, like colors or patterns.
In scheduling, it means two events are happening at the same time.
It functions as both a plural noun and a third-person singular verb.

The word clashes is a versatile term in the English language that functions as both a plural noun and a third-person singular verb. At its core, it describes a state of conflict, disagreement, or mismatch. When we talk about clashes, we are often referring to situations where two or more entities come into direct opposition. This could be physical, such as when two opposing groups of protesters meet in the street, or it could be abstract, such as when two different ideologies or cultural values do not align. The term is frequently used in news reporting to describe violent encounters, but it is equally common in the world of fashion and design to describe aesthetic failures. Understanding the nuance of this word requires looking at the context in which it is placed. For instance, a 'clash of personalities' suggests a social friction that makes cooperation difficult, whereas a 'clash of colors' suggests a visual disharmony that is unpleasant to the eye.

Physical Conflict: This refers to violent or aggressive encounters between groups, often involving the police, military, or rival factions. It implies a sudden and often disorganized fight.

The evening news reported several violent clashes between the demonstrators and the security forces near the parliament building.

Ideological Disagreement: This describes a fundamental difference in beliefs, opinions, or goals. It is common in politics, philosophy, and business management discussions.

There were significant clashes of opinion during the board meeting regarding the company's new environmental policy.

Aesthetic Mismatch: In the context of art, fashion, or interior design, it refers to elements that do not look good together because they are too different in style, color, or pattern.

The bright orange sofa clashes horribly with the pink walls in the living room.

Beyond these primary uses, the word also appears in scheduling. A 'timetable clash' or 'scheduling clash' occurs when two events are planned for the same time, making it impossible to attend both. This is a very common usage in academic and professional settings. For example, a student might have a clash between their chemistry lab and their history lecture. In all these instances, the underlying theme is one of incompatibility. Whether it is people fighting, colors vibrating unpleasantly against each other, or time slots overlapping, 'clashes' signifies a lack of harmony. Historically, the word comes from the sound of weapons hitting each other, which perfectly encapsulates the sense of impact and noise associated with the term. In modern usage, while the physical sound is often absent, the sense of a sharp, unpleasant encounter remains. It is a powerful word because it conveys both the action of the conflict and the result of the mismatch simultaneously.

Using 'clashes' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as either a noun or a verb. As a plural noun, it often follows adjectives that describe the nature of the conflict, such as 'violent', 'frequent', 'ideological', or 'cultural'. As a verb, it is almost always used in the third-person singular (he/she/it clashes) or as a plural verb (they clash). The verb form is particularly common when describing how things look or how schedules overlap. When you use it as a verb, you will frequently need the preposition 'with' to connect the two conflicting elements. For example, 'The meeting clashes with my lunch break.' In this case, the meeting is the subject, and the lunch break is the object of the preposition. If you are using it as a noun, you might say 'There is a clash between the meeting and my lunch break.'

Noun Usage: Conflict: Used to describe the event of a fight or disagreement. Often paired with 'between'.

The clashes between the two rival gangs have increased in frequency over the last month.

Verb Usage: Visual Mismatch: Used to describe things that do not look good together. Usually 'Subject + clashes + with + Object'.

She decided not to wear the necklace because it clashes with the pattern on her dress.

Verb Usage: Scheduling: Used when two events happen at the same time. 'Subject + clashes + with + Object'.

Unfortunately, the wedding clashes with my business trip to Tokyo.

When writing, consider the intensity you wish to convey. 'Clashes' is stronger than 'disagreements' but often less formal than 'confrontations'. If you are describing a physical fight, 'clashes' implies a level of chaos and lack of clear resolution. If you are describing a disagreement, it implies that the two sides are very far apart and unlikely to reach a compromise easily. In professional writing, you might see 'clashes' used to describe market forces or economic theories that contradict one another. For example, 'The theory of free markets often clashes with the reality of government subsidies.' This usage highlights the logical impossibility of both things being true or effective at the same time. By mastering these different sentence structures, you can use 'clashes' to describe everything from a bad outfit to a global conflict with precision and clarity.

You will encounter the word 'clashes' in a variety of real-world contexts, ranging from the evening news to casual conversations about fashion. One of the most common places to see it is in news headlines. Journalists use 'clashes' as a concise way to describe skirmishes between police and protesters, or between different ethnic or political groups. It is a staple of international reporting because it captures the action of a conflict without necessarily assigning blame to one side or the other. You might see a headline like 'Border Clashes Intensify,' which immediately tells the reader that there is active, physical fighting happening. In the world of sports, particularly in the UK and Europe, 'clash' is used to describe a highly anticipated match between two major teams. A 'heavyweight clash' in boxing or a 'clash of the titans' in football refers to a competition between two powerful opponents.

News & Media: Used to report on protests, riots, or military skirmishes. It provides a sense of immediate, ongoing conflict.

The news anchor mentioned that clashes broke out after the controversial law was passed.

Fashion & Design: Used by stylists and designers to critique color combinations or pattern mixing that doesn't work.

The fashion critic noted that the model's neon green hair clashes with the vintage aesthetic of the collection.

Daily Life & Scheduling: Commonly heard in schools and offices when two appointments or classes are set for the same time.

I can't attend the webinar because it clashes with my dental appointment.

Furthermore, in literature and film criticism, you will hear about a 'clash of cultures' or a 'clash of civilizations'. This refers to the tension that arises when people from very different backgrounds interact. It is a major theme in many famous stories. In casual conversation, you might use it to describe a personality conflict: 'I like both of them individually, but their personalities just clash.' This means they don't get along when they are together. You might also hear it in the kitchen if someone suggests a strange food combination: 'Do you think the balsamic vinegar clashes with the strawberries?' (Though in that case, many would say they actually complement each other!). Whether in a serious political debate or a lighthearted discussion about home decor, 'clashes' is the go-to word for describing any kind of jarring or conflicting interaction.

While 'clashes' is a relatively straightforward word, there are several common mistakes that learners and even native speakers make. The most frequent error is confusing 'clashes' with words that sound similar, such as 'crashes' or 'crushes'. A 'crash' is a violent collision involving vehicles or a sudden failure of a system (like a computer crash), whereas a 'clash' is a conflict or mismatch. You wouldn't say 'the cars clashed on the highway' unless you were personifying them as if they were fighting; the correct word is 'crashed'. Similarly, a 'crush' is either a romantic interest or the act of pressing something until it breaks. Confusing these can lead to some very strange sentences! Another common mistake involves the preposition used with the verb form. Many learners forget to use 'with' or use the wrong preposition like 'to' or 'against'.

Confusion with 'Crashes': Mistaking a physical collision of objects for a conflict between people or styles.

Incorrect: The two bicycles clashed at the intersection. (Use 'crashed' instead).

Incorrect Preposition: Using 'clashes to' or 'clashes against' instead of the standard 'clashes with'.

Incorrect: His opinion clashes against mine. (Correct: clashes with mine).

Misusing the Noun Form: Using 'clashes' for a minor, friendly debate where 'disagreement' would be more appropriate.

Overstated: We had violent clashes about which movie to watch. (Better: We had a disagreement).

Another subtle mistake is using 'clashes' when you mean 'contrast'. In art and design, a 'contrast' is often a good thing—it makes elements stand out and look interesting. A 'clash', however, is almost always negative—it means the elements are fighting each other and the result is ugly or confusing. If you like how two different colors look together, say they 'contrast well'. If they make your eyes hurt, say they 'clash'. Finally, be careful with the pluralization. While 'clashes' is the plural of 'clash', in some contexts, people use the singular 'clash' as a collective noun, though this is less common. Stick to 'clashes' for multiple instances of conflict. By avoiding these pitfalls, you will sound more like a native speaker and ensure your meaning is always clear.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to understand the synonyms and alternatives for 'clashes'. Depending on the context—whether it's a physical fight, a disagreement, or a visual mismatch—different words might be more precise. For physical fights, 'skirmishes' is a great alternative. A skirmish is typically a small, unplanned battle, often on the edges of a larger conflict. If the conflict is more about ideas or interests, 'conflicts' or 'disputes' are excellent choices. 'Conflict' is a broad term that can describe anything from an internal struggle to a world war. 'Dispute' usually refers to a formal disagreement, like a legal dispute or a labor dispute between a union and a company. For visual mismatches, you might use 'jars' or 'conflicts'. If a color 'jars', it has a harsh, unpleasant effect on the viewer.

Clashes vs. Conflicts: 'Clashes' often implies a sudden, sharp encounter. 'Conflicts' can be long-term, deep-seated issues that may not always involve active fighting.

Clashes vs. Skirmishes: 'Skirmishes' is more specific to military or police actions. 'Clashes' is more general and can be used for sports or fashion.

Clashes vs. Mismatches: A 'mismatch' simply means two things don't fit or belong together. A 'clash' implies that this lack of fit causes an active, unpleasant tension.

While the clashes were brief, the underlying conflict lasted for decades.

If you are looking for a more informal way to say that two people clash, you might say they 'don't see eye to eye' or they 'lock horns'. 'Locking horns' is a vivid idiom that comes from animals like bulls or deer fighting with their antlers. In the context of scheduling, instead of saying a meeting 'clashes' with another, you could say they 'overlap' or that there is a 'scheduling conflict'. 'Overlap' is more neutral, while 'scheduling conflict' is more professional. In fashion, if you want to be more descriptive than just saying colors 'clash', you could say they 'fight each other' or that the combination is 'garish' or 'discordant'. 'Discordant' is a sophisticated word that originally comes from music, describing notes that sound bad together. By choosing the right alternative, you can convey the exact type and intensity of the clash you are describing, making your English more expressive and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The use of 'clash' to describe colors that don't match didn't become common until the mid-19th century, long after its use for physical fights.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈklæʃ.ɪz/

US /ˈklæʃ.əz/

The stress is on the first syllable: CLASH-es.

Rhymes With

ashes dashes flashes lashes mashes rashes smashes splashes

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'a' like 'ah' (clahshes).
Confusing the 'sh' sound with 's' (classes).
Missing the 'iz' sound at the end.
Stressing the second syllable.
Pronouncing it like 'crushes'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially in news headlines.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of the 'clashes with' prepositional pattern.

Speaking 3/5

Commonly used in daily life for scheduling and fashion.

Listening 3/5

Must be distinguished from 'crashes' or 'classes'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

fight match different between color

Learn Next

conflict confrontation incompatible discordant skirmish

Advanced

ontology hegemony dissonance metonymy reconcile

Grammar to Know

Subject-Verb Agreement with 'Clashes'

The color clashes (singular) vs. The colors clash (plural).

Prepositional Use with 'Clash'

Use 'with' for the object of the conflict: 'A clashes with B'.

Noun-Preposition Pattern

Use 'between' for the noun form: 'A clash between A and B'.

Using 'Clashing' as an Adjective

She wore clashing patterns to the party.

Passive Voice (Rare)

The two groups were clashed together by fate (very rare/literary).

Examples by Level

The red shoes and the green dress clash.

The colors look bad together.

Verb: plural subject 'shoes and dress' takes the verb 'clash'.

They had a small clash about the game.

They had a small fight.

Noun: 'a clash' is a singular countable noun.

My tie clashes with my shirt.

The tie and shirt do not look good together.

Verb: 'tie' is singular, so we use 'clashes'.

There are many clashes in the movie.

There are many fights in the movie.

Noun: 'clashes' is the plural form.

The colors in this room clash.

The colors in the room do not match.

Verb: 'colors' is plural, so we use 'clash'.

The two boys had many clashes at school.

The boys had many disagreements.

Noun: plural 'clashes'.

Does this hat clash with my coat?

Does the hat look bad with the coat?

Question form: 'Does [subject] clash...?'

The cats had a clash in the garden.

The cats had a small fight.

Noun: singular 'a clash'.

I have a clash between my math class and my piano lesson.

Two things are at the same time.

Noun: 'a clash between A and B'.

The news showed clashes in the city center.

The news showed fights between groups.

Noun: plural 'clashes' used as the object.

He often clashes with his boss about work hours.

He often disagrees with his boss.

Verb: 'clashes with' for interpersonal disagreement.

There was a clash of opinions during the meeting.

People had different ideas.

Noun phrase: 'clash of opinions'.

The blue rug clashes with the yellow sofa.

The rug and sofa look bad together.

Verb: singular subject 'rug' takes 'clashes'.

We need to fix this schedule clash.

We need to fix the time problem.

Compound noun: 'schedule clash'.

The two teams had several clashes on the field.

The teams had several fights or hard moments.

Noun: plural 'clashes'.

Her style clashes with the rest of the group.

Her style is very different from the others.

Verb: 'style' is the subject.

Violent clashes broke out between protesters and the police.

Physical fights started suddenly.

Noun: 'clashes broke out' is a common collocation.

The meeting clashes with my doctor's appointment.

The meeting is at the same time as the appointment.

Verb: 'clashes with' used for scheduling.

There is a fundamental clash of cultures in this neighborhood.

Different cultures have deep disagreements here.

Noun phrase: 'clash of cultures'.

The stripes on your shirt clash with the checks on your trousers.

The patterns do not look good together.

Verb: 'stripes' (plural) takes 'clash'.

He frequently clashes with his colleagues over project details.

He often has disagreements with his coworkers.

Verb: 'clashes with' followed by 'over [topic]'.

The report highlights the clashes between the two political parties.

The report shows the disagreements between the parties.

Noun: plural 'clashes' as the object of 'highlights'.

A clash of personalities made it hard for them to work together.

Their different characters caused problems.

Noun phrase: 'clash of personalities'.

The date of the festival clashes with the final exams.

The festival and exams are at the same time.

Verb: 'date' (singular) takes 'clashes'.

The documentary explores the clash of civilizations in the 21st century.

The film looks at deep cultural conflicts.

Noun phrase: 'clash of civilizations' (a famous concept).

Her artistic vision often clashes with the commercial goals of the studio.

Her creative ideas are different from the studio's money goals.

Verb: 'vision' (singular) takes 'clashes'.

Several border clashes have been reported in the last forty-eight hours.

Fights at the border have happened recently.

Noun: 'border clashes' is a compound noun.

There was a sharp clash of interests when the mayor's brother bid for the contract.

There was a conflict because of personal connections.

Noun phrase: 'clash of interests' (similar to conflict of interest).

The vibrant colors of the painting clash intentionally to create tension.

The colors are mismatched on purpose.

Verb: 'colors' (plural) takes 'clash'.

The prime minister's views clash with the majority of the cabinet.

The leader disagrees with most of the other ministers.

Verb: 'views' (plural) takes 'clash'.

The clash between the two ideologies led to a long-standing division.

The fight between the two sets of beliefs caused a split.

Noun: 'clash between [A] and [B]'.

I'm afraid my vacation clashes with the most important week of the project.

My time off is at the same time as the project's busy week.

Verb: 'vacation' (singular) takes 'clashes'.

The symphony is characterized by clashing dissonances that resolve into harmony.

The music has sounds that fight each other.

Participle: 'clashing' used as an adjective.

The legal dispute centers on the clash between individual privacy and national security.

The case is about the conflict between two important rights.

Noun: 'clash between [abstract concept] and [abstract concept]'.

His abrasive personality inevitably clashes with the more diplomatic members of the team.

His rough character always fights with the polite people.

Verb: 'personality' (singular) takes 'clashes'.

The architecture of the new museum clashes sharply with the surrounding historic buildings.

The new building looks very different and bad next to the old ones.

Verb: 'architecture' (singular) takes 'clashes'.

The historian noted the frequent clashes of ego among the revolutionary leaders.

The leaders fought because they all had big egos.

Noun phrase: 'clashes of ego'.

There is an inherent clash between the two theories that cannot be easily reconciled.

The two ideas naturally fight each other.

Noun: 'inherent clash'.

The play depicts the tragic clash between duty to one's family and duty to the state.

The story shows the fight between two different responsibilities.

Noun: 'clash between [duty] and [duty]'.

Market volatility often results from the clash of competing economic forces.

Prices change because different economic powers are fighting.

Noun: 'clash of [forces]'.

The philosopher argued that the clash of ontologies is the root of most metaphysical debates.

The conflict between different views of reality is very important.

Noun phrase: 'clash of ontologies'.

In the poem, the 'clash of steel' serves as a metonymy for the brutality of war.

The sound of swords represents the violence of fighting.

Noun phrase: 'clash of steel' (idiomatic/literary).

The avant-garde designer deliberately clashes textures to challenge traditional notions of beauty.

The designer uses non-matching materials to be provocative.

Verb: 'designer' (singular) takes 'clashes'.

The geopolitical landscape is marred by the persistent clashes of regional hegemonies.

The world is hurt by the constant fights between powerful countries.

Noun: plural 'clashes' with 'hegemonies'.

Her scholarly work examines the clash between empirical evidence and intuitive belief.

Her research looks at the fight between facts and feelings.

Noun: 'clash between [A] and [B]'.

The narrative's power lies in the internal clash of the protagonist's desires.

The story is strong because the main character wants two different things.

Noun: 'internal clash'.

The meeting of the two great minds resulted in a spectacular clash of intellects.

The two smart people had a very intense and brilliant disagreement.

Noun phrase: 'clash of intellects'.

The legislation was withdrawn after it became clear it clashes with constitutional principles.

The law was stopped because it doesn't match the constitution.

Verb: 'it' (the legislation) takes 'clashes'.

Common Collocations

violent clashes

clash of cultures

clash of personalities

scheduling clash

border clashes

clash of interests

clash of titans

colors clash

clash with police

timetable clash

Common Phrases

a clash of heads

— When two people accidentally hit their heads together, usually in sports.

The player left the field after a nasty clash of heads.

clash of opinions

— A strong disagreement between people about what should be done.

There was a clash of opinions on how to spend the budget.

clash of styles

— When two different ways of doing things are very different and don't work together.

The movie suffered from a clash of styles between the director and the writer.

clash of dates

— When two events are scheduled for the same day.

I can't go to both parties because there is a clash of dates.

clash of wills

— A situation where two determined people refuse to give in to each other.

The negotiation became a fierce clash of wills.

clash of values

— A disagreement based on fundamental beliefs about right and wrong.

The debate highlighted a clash of values between the generations.

clash of egos

— When powerful people argue because they all want to be the most important.

The band split up after a series of clashes of ego.

clash of colors

— A visual mismatch where colors look bad together.

The interior designer avoided any clash of colors in the bedroom.

clash of civilizations

— A theory that people's cultural and religious identities will be the primary source of conflict.

The professor discussed the 'clash of civilizations' theory in class.

clash of the titans

— A conflict or competition between two very powerful or famous people or groups.

The championship game was billed as a clash of the titans.

Often Confused With

clashes vs crashes

A crash is a physical collision (cars) or system failure. A clash is a conflict or mismatch.

clashes vs crushes

To crush is to press hard. A crush is also a romantic feeling. Clashes are fights.

clashes vs classes

Classes are groups of students or categories. Clashes are conflicts.

Idioms & Expressions

"lock horns"

— To engage in a fight or argument with someone.

The two politicians locked horns over the new tax plan.

informal

"at loggerheads"

— In strong disagreement with someone.

The council and the residents are at loggerheads over the new road.

neutral

"see eye to eye"

— To agree with someone (often used in the negative to mean 'clash').

They don't see eye to eye on many issues.

neutral

"cross swords"

— To have an argument or dispute with someone.

I've crossed swords with that editor many times before.

literary

"on a collision course"

— Behaving in a way that is likely to result in a major disagreement or fight.

The two departments are on a collision course over funding.

neutral

"bone of contention"

— A subject or issue over which there is continuing disagreement.

The shared driveway was a constant bone of contention between the neighbors.

neutral

"pick a fight"

— To intentionally start a clash or argument.

He's always looking to pick a fight with someone.

informal

"bad blood"

— Feelings of hate or strong dislike between people because of past clashes.

There is a lot of bad blood between the two families.

informal

"draw a line in the sand"

— To establish a limit that will lead to a clash if crossed.

The union drew a line in the sand regarding pay cuts.

neutral

"stir the pot"

— To intentionally cause or worsen a clash between others.

She was just trying to stir the pot by bringing up the old argument.

informal

Easily Confused

clashes vs conflict

Both mean disagreement.

Conflict is often long-term and internal. Clash is usually a specific, sharp event or a visual mismatch.

The conflict lasted years, but the clashes were brief.

clashes vs skirmish

Both mean a small fight.

Skirmish is specifically military or physical. Clash can be visual or scheduling-related.

A border skirmish vs. a color clash.

clashes vs mismatch

Both mean things don't fit.

Mismatch is neutral. Clash implies the mismatch is jarring or causes a problem.

A mismatch of skills vs. a clash of personalities.

clashes vs collision

Both involve things hitting.

Collision is usually physical and accidental. Clash can be intentional or abstract.

A collision of cars vs. a clash of ideologies.

clashes vs discord

Both mean lack of harmony.

Discord is a state of being. Clash is an event or an action.

The discord in the family led to many clashes.

Sentence Patterns

[Color A] clashes with [Color B].

Pink clashes with orange.

I have a [Noun] clash.

I have a schedule clash.

[Event A] clashes with [Event B].

The party clashes with my class.

There were clashes between [Group A] and [Group B].

There were clashes between fans and security.

A clash of [Abstract Noun] occurred.

A clash of interests occurred.

[Idea A] clashes sharply with [Idea B].

His theory clashes sharply with the data.

The [Noun] is marred by [Adjective] clashes.

The history is marred by frequent clashes.

An inherent clash between [Concept A] and [Concept B] exists.

An inherent clash between liberty and order exists.

Word Family

Nouns

clash (singular)

clashes (plural)

Verbs

clash (base)

clashes (third-person singular)

clashed (past)

clashing (present participle)

Adjectives

clashing (e.g., clashing colors)

collision

conflict

confrontation

discord

mismatch

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news, fashion, and daily scheduling.

Common Mistakes

The cars clashed on the road. → The cars crashed on the road.
Use 'crashed' for physical collisions of vehicles.
His tie clashes to his shirt. → His tie clashes with his shirt.
The verb 'clash' takes the preposition 'with'.
There were many clashes between the two team. → There were many clashes between the two teams.
The noun 'between' requires a plural or multiple entities.
I have a clash with my math class. → My piano lesson clashes with my math class.
You have a clash *between* two things, or one thing clashes *with* another.
The colors clash each other. → The colors clash.
You don't need 'each other' if the subject is already plural.

Tips

Subject-Verb Agreement

Always check if your subject is singular or plural. 'The color clashes' but 'The colors clash'.

Fashion Context

Use 'clash' for colors that vibrate unpleasantly and 'contrast' for colors that look good together despite being different.

Scheduling

In a professional setting, 'scheduling conflict' is slightly more formal than 'scheduling clash'.

News Reading

When you see 'clashes' in a headline, expect to read about a physical fight or a protest.

Vivid Verbs

Use 'clashes' to add energy to your writing when describing a disagreement.

Softening Conflict

Saying 'our opinions clash' is often more polite than saying 'you are wrong'.

Sound-alikes

Be careful not to hear 'classes' when someone says 'clashes' in a school setting.

Ideology

Use 'clash of ideologies' when writing about political or philosophical differences.

Locking Horns

Remember the idiom 'lock horns' as a synonym for people who clash frequently.

The 'SH' sound

Don't forget the 'h'! It's C-L-A-S-H-E-S, not C-L-A-S-S-E-S.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'SH' sound in 'clashes' as the sound of two swords 'Sashing' together in a fight.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright orange shirt and a bright purple tie having a boxing match because they hate being together.

Word Web

Conflict Colors Schedule Protest Mismatch Fight Opinion Titans

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that clash in color, and then check your calendar for any scheduling clashes next week.

Word Origin

The word 'clash' appeared in Middle English around the 15th century. It is considered an onomatopoeic word, meaning it was created to imitate the sound of two hard objects—like swords or shields—hitting each other.

Original meaning: To make a loud, harsh, metallic sound.

Germanic/English origin.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'clashes' to describe serious ethnic or religious conflicts, as it can sometimes oversimplify deep-seated issues.

Common in news, sports, and fashion across the US, UK, Australia, and Canada.

The Clash (British Punk Band) Clash of the Titans (1981 and 2010 films) Clash of Clans (Popular mobile game)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

News Reporting

violent clashes
clashes broke out
street clashes
border clashes

Fashion & Design

colors clash
patterns clash
clashing styles
visual clash

Scheduling

timetable clash
schedule clash
clashes with a meeting
date clash

Workplace Relations

clash of personalities
clash of opinions
clash with management
interest clash

Sports

heavyweight clash
clash of the titans
clash of heads
epic clash

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever had a scheduling clash that caused a big problem?"

"What do you think about clashing patterns in fashion? Is it cool or ugly?"

"Do you think a clash of personalities can ever be a good thing for a team?"

"How do you usually handle it when your opinion clashes with your boss's?"

"Have you seen any news about the recent clashes in the city center?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when your personal values had a clash with someone else's.

Write about a 'clash of cultures' you experienced while traveling or meeting new people.

If you had to design a room where the colors intentionally clash, what would it look like?

Reflect on a time you had to resolve a clash between two of your friends.

How do you feel when your schedule clashes? Do you get stressed or just reschedule?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. 'Clashes' almost always implies something negative, like a fight, a mismatch, or a scheduling problem. However, in some modern fashion, 'clashing' is done on purpose to be bold.

The most common and natural preposition is 'with'. You say 'A clashes with B'. 'Against' is occasionally used in physical contexts but 'with' is much more versatile.

It is when two players accidentally hit their heads together, often causing injury. It is a very common phrase in soccer and rugby.

Yes, but it sounds a bit dramatic. For a small argument, 'disagreement' or 'tiff' might be better. 'Clashes' suggests something more intense.

It is both! 'A clash' (noun) and 'to clash' (verb). 'Clashes' can be the plural noun or the third-person singular verb.

It means a person or group has two different goals that compete with each other, making it hard to be fair.

You can say 'The stripes on that shirt clash with the polka dots on the tie.' It means they look bad together.

It's when you have two things to do at the same time. 'I have a scheduling clash, so I can't come to the party.'

Yes, they were a very famous British punk rock band in the 1970s and 80s.

A 'crash' is a collision (like cars) or a fall. A 'clash' is a conflict or a mismatch.