Why do people say the British Empire collapse?

Anything that breaks up is termed 'collapsing'. As an Empire Britain could no more hold all colonies and countries together. Britain learnt this lesson with the American victory in the War of Independence. Britain, instead of tightening her grip, loosened it and allowed the remaining colonies greater freedom. The result was the emergence of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Later countries like India and Pakistan became independent, showing further collapse of the Empire. But with collapse of the colonial Empire, was born the more acceptable ociation for continued friendship and cooperation, the Commonwealth of Nations.