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A1 verb #176 most common 11 min read

break

Top 176

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips break in 30 Seconds

Explanation break in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'break' is primarily used to describe physical accidents. You learn it as a verb for when something like a glass, a toy, or a pencil separates into pieces. It's often used in the past tense 'broke' to explain why something doesn't work or looks different. You might say, 'I broke my pen' or 'The window is broken.' It's a very important word for describing the world around you and explaining simple mishaps. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex idioms, just the physical act of breaking objects.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'break' for more than just physical objects. You start to use it for daily routines, such as 'taking a break' from work or study. You also learn common phrasal verbs like 'break down' (when a car stops working) and 'break up' (when a boyfriend and girlfriend end their relationship). You understand that 'break' can mean a pause in time, not just a physical fracture. You also start to use the past participle 'broken' as an adjective more frequently, like 'a broken heart' or 'a broken leg.'

By B1, you are comfortable with 'break' in various metaphorical contexts. You use it to talk about rules and laws ('break the law'). You understand phrases like 'break a habit' or 'break a record.' You also start to encounter 'break' in news contexts, such as 'breaking news.' Your vocabulary includes more specific phrasal verbs like 'break out' (a fire or a war starting) and 'break into' (entering a building illegally). You can describe more complex situations using 'break' to signify a sudden change or interruption in a process.

At the B2 level, you use 'break' with more nuance and precision. You understand its use in professional and academic settings, such as 'breaking down' a complex topic into smaller parts for analysis. You are familiar with more idiomatic expressions like 'break the ice' or 'break even' in business. You can distinguish between 'break' and its synonyms like 'shatter' or 'crack' to provide more descriptive detail. You also understand the use of 'break' in literature and more formal writing to describe light, waves, or the weather.

At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated grasp of 'break' and its many collocations. You can use it in highly formal or technical ways, such as 'breaking a code' in cryptography or 'breaking a fever' in medicine. You understand the subtle differences in register between 'break a rule' and 'violate a regulation.' You are also aware of the word's role in complex idioms and cultural references, such as 'break the fourth wall' in film and theater. Your usage is fluid, and you can use 'break' to convey subtle emotional or structural changes in your writing.

At the C2 level, you use 'break' with the mastery of a native speaker. You can use it in poetic, archaic, or highly specialized contexts without hesitation. You understand the deep etymological roots and how they influence modern usage. You can play with the word's multiple meanings for rhetorical effect, such as using puns or double entendres. Whether you are discussing 'breaking the cycle of poverty' in a sociological essay or 'breaking the mold' in a creative piece, your use of 'break' is precise, evocative, and perfectly suited to the context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

break in 30 Seconds

The verb 'break' primarily means to separate something into pieces, often by accident or force, like breaking a glass or a bone.
It is commonly used to describe mechanical or technological failure, such as when a car or a computer stops working correctly.
Metaphorically, it refers to violating rules, laws, or promises, and can also mean taking a short rest from an activity.
As an irregular verb, its forms are break (present), broke (past), and broken (past participle), which is also used as an adjective.

The verb break is one of the most versatile and fundamental words in the English language. At its most basic level, as defined for an A1 learner, it describes the physical act of something separating into pieces, often due to force or an accident. However, as one progresses through the CEFR levels, the word expands into a vast web of metaphorical and functional meanings. It is used to describe mechanical failure, the violation of laws, the interruption of a continuous state, and even the delivery of news.

Physical Fragmentation: This is the primary use. When you drop a ceramic mug on a hard floor, it will break. This implies a loss of structural integrity that is usually permanent or requires repair. It is often sudden and accompanied by sound.

Be careful not to break the window while playing ball.

Functional Failure: In a modern context, we use this word for technology. If your phone stops working because the software crashed or the hardware failed, you say it is broken. This usage extends to complex systems like cars or elevators.

Beyond the physical, 'break' is used for abstract concepts. To break a rule or break the law means to fail to observe a regulation. This implies a moral or legal fracture rather than a physical one. Similarly, we talk about breaking a habit, which means to successfully stop doing something you do regularly, like smoking or biting your nails. In this sense, 'break' is positive, representing the end of a negative cycle.

It took him months to break the habit of checking his phone every five minutes.

Interruption of Continuity: We use 'break' to describe a pause in an activity. When you 'break for lunch,' you are creating a gap in your workday. This sense of the word is about stopping the flow of time or effort to allow for rest or a change of pace.

Finally, the word carries emotional weight. To break someone's heart is a powerful idiom for causing deep emotional pain, usually through the end of a romantic relationship. Here, the 'breaking' is internal and metaphorical, yet it conveys a sense of damage as real as a shattered vase. Understanding 'break' requires recognizing whether the speaker is referring to a physical object, a mechanical system, a social contract, or an emotional state.

The news of the accident will break her spirit if we are not careful how we tell her.

The waves break against the shore with a rhythmic thud.

Can you break a twenty-dollar bill for me?

Using 'break' correctly involves understanding its irregular forms: break (present), broke (past), and broken (past participle). Because it is an irregular verb, learners often make the mistake of saying 'breaked,' which is incorrect. The syntax of 'break' can be either transitive (requiring an object) or intransitive (standing alone).

Transitive Usage: In this form, someone or something performs the action on an object. 'I broke the glass.' Here, 'I' is the subject, and 'the glass' is the object receiving the action. This is the most common way to describe accidents or intentional destruction.

She broke the record for the 100-meter dash.

Intransitive Usage: In this form, the subject itself undergoes the change without a direct object mentioned. 'The branch broke.' This focuses on the event itself rather than the cause. It is very common when describing natural occurrences or mechanical failures where the cause is unknown or irrelevant.

When using 'break' in the passive voice, we use the past participle 'broken.' For example, 'The window was broken by the wind.' This is useful when you want to emphasize the state of the object rather than who did it. In everyday conversation, 'broken' is also used as an adjective: 'My heart is broken' or 'The elevator is broken.'

The computer broke just as I was finishing my report.

Phrasal Verb: Break out: This means to start suddenly (like a fire or a war) or to escape (like from prison). 'A fire broke out in the kitchen.' It conveys a sense of sudden, uncontrollable movement or beginning.

In more advanced contexts, 'break' is used to describe the way light or waves behave. Waves 'break' on the shore when they collapse into foam. Light 'breaks' through the clouds. These uses are more poetic and descriptive, often found in literature or weather reports. Regardless of the context, the core idea of 'break' remains a transition from a whole or continuous state to a fragmented or interrupted one.

We need to break the project into smaller, manageable tasks.

The fever finally broke during the night, and he began to feel better.

Don't break your promise to help me move this weekend.

'Break' is ubiquitous in daily life, from the kitchen to the boardroom. In a domestic setting, you'll hear it most often regarding accidents. 'Who broke the vase?' is a classic parental inquiry. In the workplace, it’s used for logistics and scheduling. 'Let's break for ten minutes' is a common phrase in meetings, indicating a short rest period. It’s also used in technical support: 'The link is broken' or 'The server broke under the load.'

In News and Media: You will frequently see the phrase 'Breaking News' scrolling across the bottom of a TV screen. This indicates that a story is developing right now. Journalists also talk about 'breaking a story,' which means being the first to report it. This usage highlights the word's connection to speed and novelty.

We have some breaking news regarding the election results.

In Sports: Athletes strive to 'break records.' In tennis, a 'service break' occurs when a player wins a game while their opponent is serving. In billiards or pool, the 'break' is the very first shot that scatters the balls. In these contexts, 'break' signifies a significant change in the state of the game.

In social situations, 'breaking the ice' is a vital concept. It refers to the first conversation or activity that makes people feel more relaxed in a new social setting. You might hear a host say, 'Let's play a game to break the ice.' This metaphorical use of 'break' suggests that social awkwardness is like a layer of ice that needs to be shattered to allow for fluid communication.

He told a joke to break the ice at the start of the interview.

In Finance and Law: To 'break even' means to reach a point where costs and profits are equal. In law, 'breaking and entering' is a specific crime involving illegal entry into a building. These uses are more formal but still rely on the core concept of crossing a threshold or reaching a specific point of change.

Finally, you'll hear it in weather reports: 'The storm will break by evening,' meaning the worst of the weather will pass or the rain will finally start. In music, a 'break' is a solo or a section where the main melody pauses, often for a drum solo. In all these real-world examples, 'break' signals a transition, a disruption, or a significant moment of change.

The company finally managed to break into the Asian market last year.

I need to break the news to him gently.

The dawn broke over the mountains, painting the sky in shades of pink.

One of the most frequent errors with 'break' is the confusion between its past tense 'broke' and its past participle 'broken.' Beginners often say 'I have broke it' instead of 'I have broken it.' Remember: 'broke' is for the simple past (yesterday, I broke it), and 'broken' is for the perfect tenses (I have broken it) or as an adjective (the broken chair).

Broke vs. Broken: Incorrect: 'My phone is broke.' Correct: 'My phone is broken.' While 'broke' can be used as an informal adjective meaning 'having no money' (I am broke), it should not be used to describe damaged objects in formal English.

He broke the glass (Past Simple). The glass is broken (Adjective).

Confusing Break with Brake: This is a common spelling mistake even for native speakers. 'Brake' refers to the device used to stop a vehicle. 'Break' refers to shattering or pausing. Remember: you use the brake so you don't break the car.

Another common error involves the phrasal verb 'break down.' While it usually means a machine stopped working, it can also mean to lose emotional control and start crying. Learners sometimes use 'break' alone when they mean 'break down.' For example, 'The car broke' is acceptable but 'The car broke down' is much more natural and specific for mechanical failure.

She broke down in tears when she heard the sad news.

Break vs. Destroy: 'Break' usually implies something can be fixed or that the pieces still exist. 'Destroy' implies total loss where repair is impossible. Don't say 'I broke the paper' (use 'tore') or 'I broke the building' (use 'demolished' or 'destroyed').

Finally, watch out for the difference between 'break a rule' and 'ignore a rule.' Breaking a rule is the act of violating it; ignoring a rule is the state of not paying attention to it. Also, 'break a record' is always positive in sports, but 'break a promise' is always negative in relationships. Misusing these collocations can lead to confusion about your intent.

If you break the law, you must face the consequences.

The machine broke because it was old, not because he used it wrong.

He broke his silence after years of staying out of the public eye.

While 'break' is a great all-purpose word, using more specific synonyms can make your English sound more advanced and precise. Depending on what is being broken and how, you might choose words like shatter, smash, crack, or fracture. Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the force used and the resulting state of the object.

Shatter vs. Break: To 'shatter' is to break into many tiny, sharp pieces. A window shatters; a stick breaks. Shattering implies a more violent and complete destruction than a simple break.

The mirror shattered into a thousand pieces when it hit the floor.

Crack vs. Break: A 'crack' is a line on the surface where something has started to break but hasn't separated completely. If your phone screen has a crack, it still works, but it is damaged. If it is broken, it might not work at all.

When talking about abstract things like rules or promises, you can use violate or breach. 'Violate the law' is more formal than 'break the law.' 'Breach of contract' is a specific legal term. In terms of taking a rest, you might use pause, recess, or intermission. An 'intermission' is specifically for plays or concerts, while a 'recess' is for school or legislative bodies.

The company was sued for breaching the terms of the agreement.

Smash vs. Break: 'Smash' implies breaking something with great force and noise, often intentionally. You might smash a pumpkin on Halloween, but you break a glass by accident. 'Smash' is more aggressive and energetic.

Finally, for mechanical things, you can use malfunction or fail. 'The engine failed' sounds more technical than 'The engine broke.' Choosing the right word depends on your audience and how much detail you want to provide. 'Break' is your reliable, everyday choice, but these alternatives add color and precision to your speech and writing.

The waves crashed against the rocks, a more intense version of 'breaking.'

She severed ties with her old company to start her own business.

The peace was shattered by the sound of a distant explosion.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'breakfast' literally means to 'break' the 'fast' (the period of not eating) that occurs while you sleep.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /breɪk/

US /breɪk/

The word is a single syllable, so the stress is on the entire word.

Rhymes With

cake lake make take snake wake shake fake

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'brick' (/brɪk/).
Confusing the spelling with 'brake'.
Not making the 'a' sound long enough.
Adding an extra vowel sound at the end.
Failing to pronounce the final 'k' clearly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

The word is very common and easy to recognize in text.

Writing 2/5

The irregular past forms (broke/broken) require some memorization.

Speaking 2/5

Many phrasal verbs and idioms use 'break', which can be tricky.

Listening 1/5

It is a short, distinct word that is usually easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

hit stop fall pieces work

Learn Next

repair shatter violate habit interrupt

Advanced

transgress fracture breach infringe disintegrate

Grammar to Know

Irregular Verbs

I break (present), I broke (past), I have broken (past participle).

Phrasal Verbs

Break down, break up, break into, break out.

Passive Voice

The window was broken by the ball.

Adjectival Participles

A broken heart, a broken toy.

Transitive vs. Intransitive

I broke the glass (transitive) vs. The glass broke (intransitive).

Examples by Level

I broke my favorite cup today.

J'ai cassé ma tasse préférée aujourd'hui.

Simple past tense of 'break'.

Do not break the toys.

Ne casse pas les jouets.

Imperative form.

The pencil broke while I was writing.

Le crayon s'est cassé pendant que j'écrivais.

Intransitive use.

Is the window broken?

La fenêtre est-elle cassée ?

'Broken' as an adjective.

He broke his arm playing football.

Il s'est cassé le bras en jouant au football.

Past tense with a body part.

She broke the egg into the bowl.

Elle a cassé l'œuf dans le bol.

Intentional action.

The chair broke when he sat down.

La chaise s'est cassée quand il s'est assis.

Past tense.

I need to break this stick for the fire.

Je dois casser ce bâton pour le feu.

Infinitive with 'need to'.

Let's take a break for lunch.

Faisons une pause pour le déjeuner.

'Break' as a noun in a common phrase.

My car broke down on the highway.

Ma voiture est tombée en panne sur l'autoroute.

Phrasal verb 'break down'.

They broke up after three years.

Ils se sont séparés après trois ans.

Phrasal verb 'break up'.

He broke the rules of the game.

Il a enfreint les règles du jeu.

Abstract use: breaking rules.

Can you break a ten-pound note?

Peux-tu me faire de la monnaie sur un billet de dix livres ?

Meaning to change money.

The sun broke through the clouds.

Le soleil a percé à travers les nuages.

Describing weather.

I have broken my glasses.

J'ai cassé mes lunettes.

Present perfect tense.

She broke her promise to call me.

Elle a rompu sa promesse de m'appeler.

Abstract use: breaking a promise.

The news of the accident broke late at night.

La nouvelle de l'accident est tombée tard dans la nuit.

Intransitive use for news.

Thieves broke into the house while they were away.

Des voleurs se sont introduits dans la maison pendant leur absence.

Phrasal verb 'break into'.

A fire broke out in the old warehouse.

Un incendie s'est déclaré dans le vieil entrepôt.

Phrasal verb 'break out'.

He finally broke the world record.

Il a enfin battu le record du monde.

Collocation: break a record.

We need to break the habit of eating junk food.

Nous devons perdre l'habitude de manger de la malbouffe.

Collocation: break a habit.

The storm broke just as we reached home.

L'orage a éclaté juste au moment où nous sommes arrivés à la maison.

Describing weather.

He broke the silence by coughing loudly.

Il a rompu le silence en toussant bruyamment.

Abstract use: breaking silence.

The company is struggling to break even this year.

L'entreprise a du mal à atteindre l'équilibre financier cette année.

Idiom: break even.

She told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.

Elle a raconté une blague pour briser la glace lors de la réunion.

Idiom: break the ice.

The waves break against the rocky shore.

Les vagues se brisent contre le rivage rocheux.

Descriptive use for water.

We should break the project down into smaller tasks.

Nous devrions diviser le projet en plus petites tâches.

Phrasal verb 'break down' (analytical).

His voice broke with emotion as he spoke.

Sa voix s'est brisée sous l'émotion pendant qu'il parlait.

Describing a voice.

The prisoner managed to break out of jail.

Le prisonnier a réussi à s'évader de prison.

Phrasal verb 'break out of'.

Don't break your heart over someone who doesn't care.

Ne te brise pas le cœur pour quelqu'un qui s'en moque.

Idiom: break someone's heart.

The dawn broke over the horizon, signaling a new day.

L'aube s'est levée sur l'horizon, annonçant un nouveau jour.

Literary use: dawn breaking.

He broke the news of his resignation to the staff.

Il a annoncé la nouvelle de sa démission au personnel.

Collocation: break the news.

The government is trying to break the cycle of poverty.

Le gouvernement essaie de briser le cycle de la pauvreté.

Metaphorical use in a social context.

The scientist finally broke the code used by the enemy.

Le scientifique a enfin déchiffré le code utilisé par l'ennemi.

Technical use: breaking a code.

The scandal broke just days before the election.

Le scandale a éclaté quelques jours seulement avant l'élection.

Journalistic use.

Her fever finally broke after three days of illness.

Sa fièvre est enfin tombée après trois jours de maladie.

Medical use: a fever breaking.

The actor broke the fourth wall by looking at the camera.

L'acteur a brisé le quatrième mur en regardant la caméra.

Theatrical idiom.

They had to break the strike by negotiating with the union.

Ils ont dû mettre fin à la grève en négociant avec le syndicat.

Political/Labor use: breaking a strike.

The light breaks beautifully through the stained glass.

La lumière se diffuse magnifiquement à travers le vitrail.

Describing optics.

He broke with tradition and decided not to wear a suit.

Il a rompu avec la tradition et a décidé de ne pas porter de costume.

Collocation: break with tradition.

The sheer magnitude of the tragedy threatened to break her spirit.

L'ampleur même de la tragédie menaçait de briser son moral.

Abstract emotional use.

The author's latest novel truly breaks the mold of the genre.

Le dernier roman de l'auteur casse véritablement les codes du genre.

Idiom: break the mold.

The negotiations reached a breaking point late last night.

Les négociations ont atteint un point de rupture tard hier soir.

Compound noun: breaking point.

The horse was finally broken after weeks of patient training.

Le cheval a enfin été dressé après des semaines d'entraînement patient.

Specialized use: breaking an animal.

The waves were breaking in a chaotic symphony of foam and spray.

Les vagues se brisaient dans une symphonie chaotique d'écume et d'embruns.

Poetic/Descriptive use.

He broke the fall of the child by catching her in his arms.

Il a amorti la chute de l'enfant en la rattrapant dans ses bras.

Collocation: break a fall.

The silence was so thick you could almost feel it break.

Le silence était si épais qu'on pouvait presque le sentir se rompre.

Metaphorical/Literary use.

The evidence was enough to break the suspect's alibi.

Les preuves étaient suffisantes pour démolir l'alibi du suspect.

Legal/Investigative use.

Synonyms

smash shatter crack fracture snap damage

Antonyms

fix repair mend

Common Collocations

break a record

break the law

break a habit

break the news

break a promise

break the ice

break even

break a bone

break the silence

break for lunch

Common Phrases

take a break

— To stop doing something for a short time to rest.

You look tired; you should take a break.

break down

— When a machine or vehicle stops working.

My car broke down on the way to work.

break up

— To end a romantic relationship.

They decided to break up after many arguments.

break into

— To enter a building by force, usually to steal.

Someone tried to break into our house last night.

break out

— When something bad, like a fire or war, starts suddenly.

A fight broke out in the street.

break the rules

— To not follow the instructions or laws.

If you break the rules, you will be disqualified.

break someone's heart

— To cause someone great emotional pain.

It broke her heart to see him leave.

break a leg

— A way to wish someone good luck, especially in theater.

Break a leg on your opening night!

break free

— To escape from someone or something that is holding you.

The dog broke free from its leash.

break through

— To force a way through a barrier.

The sun broke through the thick fog.

Often Confused With

break vs brake

A 'brake' is what stops a car. 'Break' is to shatter or pause. They sound the same but are spelled differently.

break vs brick

A 'brick' is a building material. Some learners mispronounce 'break' as 'brick'.

break vs tear

You 'break' hard things like glass, but you 'tear' soft things like paper or cloth.

Idioms & Expressions

"break the ice"

— To say or do something to make people feel more relaxed in a social situation.

A quick game is a great way to break the ice.

informal

"break the bank"

— To cost too much money; to be very expensive.

Buying a new car won't break the bank if you choose a used one.

informal

"break a leg"

— Good luck (used primarily in the performing arts).

I know you'll be great in the play—break a leg!

informal

"break the news"

— To tell someone important information, usually bad news.

The doctor had to break the news that surgery was necessary.

neutral

"break fresh ground"

— To do something original or innovative.

Her research breaks fresh ground in the field of genetics.

formal

"break the back of something"

— To finish the hardest or most important part of a task.

We've broken the back of the work, so the rest should be easy.

neutral

"break even"

— To make neither a profit nor a loss.

The movie needs to earn $100 million just to break even.

neutral

"break the mold"

— To do something in a completely new and different way.

This new smartphone design really breaks the mold.

neutral

"break a sweat"

— To put in a lot of physical effort; to work hard.

He ran five miles without even breaking a sweat.

informal

"break the silence"

— To speak after a long period of quiet.

She finally broke the silence and told us what happened.

neutral

Easily Confused

break vs shatter

Both mean to break into pieces.

Shatter implies many small, sharp pieces and more force than break.

The window shattered, but the stick just broke.

break vs smash

Both involve breaking something.

Smash implies a loud, violent, and often intentional act.

He smashed the vase against the wall.

break vs crack

Both involve damage to an object.

A crack is a line of damage where the pieces haven't separated yet.

The mirror has a crack, but it's not broken yet.

break vs fracture

Both mean to break a hard substance.

Fracture is a more formal and medical term, usually for bones.

The doctor said I have a fracture in my leg.

break vs rupture

Both mean a break or burst.

Rupture usually refers to internal pressure causing a break, like a pipe or organ.

The balloon ruptured when he squeezed it too hard.

Sentence Patterns

Subject + break + Object

I break the pencil.

Subject + broke down

The bus broke down.

Subject + break + the [Rule/Law]

He broke the law.

Subject + break + Object + down

We broke the data down.

Subject + break + with [Tradition/Past]

They broke with the past.

Subject + break + the [Cycle/Mold]

She broke the mold.

The [Object] + is broken

The toy is broken.

It's time to + break + for + [Event]

It's time to break for lunch.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written English.

Common Mistakes

I have broke my phone. → I have broken my phone.
You must use the past participle 'broken' with the auxiliary verb 'have'.
The car breaked down. → The car broke down.
'Break' is an irregular verb; the past tense is 'broke', not 'breaked'.
I need to brake the paper. → I need to tear the paper.
'Break' is for hard objects. For paper, use 'tear'. Also, 'brake' is for stopping a car.
He is a broke man. → He is a broken man.
Use 'broken' as an adjective to describe a person's state. 'Broke' only means 'having no money'.
Let's take a break for five minutes. → Let's take a five-minute break.
While the first is okay, the second is a more common compound adjective structure.

Tips

Irregular Forms

Always remember the sequence: break, broke, broken. Practice saying them together to build muscle memory and avoid saying 'breaked'.

Phrasal Verbs

Focus on 'break up' and 'break down' first, as these are the most common phrasal verbs used in daily conversation.

Brake vs. Break

Remember: 'Brake' has an 'a' like 'accelerate' (both related to cars). 'Break' has an 'ea' like 'eat' (you break bread to eat it).

Social Context

Use 'take a break' instead of 'rest' when you are at work; it sounds more professional and natural to native speakers.

Good Luck

Only use 'break a leg' for performances. Don't use it for someone taking a driving test or going to a job interview; it might sound strange!

Precision

In formal writing, use 'violate' for rules and 'fracture' for bones to increase the sophistication of your language.

Context Clues

If you hear 'break' in a news context, expect it to be about a new story or a record being beaten.

Break the News

This phrase is almost always used for significant or bad news. You don't 'break the news' that you bought milk; you 'break the news' of a death or a job loss.

Money Talk

If someone says 'I'm broke,' they aren't injured; they just don't have any money. This is very common informal English.

Long Vowel

The 'ea' in 'break' is a diphthong /eɪ/. Make sure it sounds like 'cake' and not 'beck'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

B-R-E-A-K: Be Ready Every Accident Knocks. It reminds you that things break suddenly.

Visual Association

Imagine a glass vase hitting a stone floor and shattering into many pieces.

Word Web

shatter pause rule habit record heart machine news

Challenge

Try to use 'break' in three different ways today: one for an object, one for a rest, and one for a rule.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English word 'brecan', which means to shatter, burst, or violate. It has roots in Proto-Germanic 'brekanan'.

Original meaning: To fragment or divide into pieces by force.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'break down' to describe a person, as it refers to a mental health crisis.

The 'tea break' is a cultural institution in the UK, while 'spring break' is a major event for students in the US.

The song 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' by Elton John and Kiki Dee. The TV show 'Breaking Bad'. The phrase 'Break the internet' popularized by Kim Kardashian.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At home

I broke a plate.
The TV is broken.
Don't break anything.
Who broke this?

At work

Let's take a break.
The printer broke down.
Break the project down.
Back from break.

In a relationship

They broke up.
You broke my heart.
Don't break your promise.
A clean break.

In the news

Breaking news.
The story broke.
Break the silence.
Break a record.

Driving

The car broke down.
Break the speed limit.
Break for a rest.
Don't break the law.

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever broken a bone? What happened?"

"How often do you take a break when you are studying?"

"What is the hardest habit you have ever had to break?"

"Has your car ever broken down in a really bad place?"

"What kind of news do you think is 'breaking news' today?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you broke something valuable. How did you feel and what did you do?

Write about a rule you think is okay to break sometimes. Why?

Reflect on a 'breakthrough' you had in your learning or personal life.

What does it mean to 'break the ice' in your culture? Is it easy or hard for you?

Imagine a day where everything you touched broke. Describe your day.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'breaked' is not a correct word in English. 'Break' is an irregular verb. The past tense is 'broke' and the past participle is 'broken'. For example, you should say 'I broke the glass' instead of 'I breaked the glass'.

'Broke' is the simple past tense (e.g., 'Yesterday, I broke my phone'). 'Broken' is the past participle used in perfect tenses (e.g., 'I have broken my phone') or as an adjective (e.g., 'This is a broken phone').

Yes, 'break' can be a noun meaning a pause or rest (e.g., 'Let's take a five-minute break') or a physical fracture (e.g., 'The X-ray showed a clean break in the bone').

It is an idiom used to wish someone good luck, especially before they go on stage for a performance. It is a superstitious way of saying 'good luck' by saying something seemingly bad.

You use 'break' to mean changing a large bill into smaller bills or coins. For example, 'Can you break a twenty?' means 'Can you give me two tens or four fives for this twenty-dollar bill?'

When a person 'breaks down,' it means they lose emotional control and start crying or become very upset. It can also refer to a mental health crisis where someone can no longer function normally.

'Breaking news' refers to current events that are happening right now or have just been discovered. It is news that is important enough to interrupt regular programming.

You 'break' hard, solid objects like glass, wood, or plastic. You 'tear' soft, flexible materials like paper, cloth, or skin. You wouldn't say 'I broke the paper'; you would say 'I tore the paper'.

In business or gambling, 'break even' means to reach a point where you have not made any profit but you also have not lost any money. Your costs and your income are exactly the same.

When a storm 'breaks,' it means it has finally started or that the worst part of it is over. For example, 'The storm broke at midnight' means the rain and thunder began then.