break
To separate into pieces suddenly or violently, especially as a result of a blow or shock. It also refers to a device or machine stopping its function or failing to follow a rule.
Examples
3 of 5Be careful not to break the glass on the table.
Do not shatter the drinking glass.
The defendant was accused of trying to break the law.
The person tried to disobey the legal rules.
If you drop your phone, you might break the screen.
The screen might crack or stop working.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the sound 'b-r-e-a-k' as something snapping in half like a dry stick.
Quick Quiz
If you are tired, you should ____ for a few minutes.
Correct!
The correct answer is: break
Examples
Be careful not to break the glass on the table.
everydayDo not shatter the drinking glass.
The defendant was accused of trying to break the law.
formalThe person tried to disobey the legal rules.
If you drop your phone, you might break the screen.
informalThe screen might crack or stop working.
Data suggests that these particles break the standard model of physics.
academicThe particles do not follow the expected rules.
We aim to break our quarterly sales record by ten percent.
businessWe want to exceed our previous best performance.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
break a leg
good luck
take a break
to rest for a short time
break even
to make neither a profit nor a loss
Often Confused With
Brake is used for stopping a vehicle, while break means to shatter or pause.
Broke is the past tense of break, but can also mean having no money.
Usage Notes
Break is an irregular verb. It can be used physically (breaking a vase) or metaphorically (breaking a heart or a rule).
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the regular ending 'breaked' instead of the correct irregular past tense 'broke'.
Memory Tip
Think of the sound 'b-r-e-a-k' as something snapping in half like a dry stick.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English 'brecan', which means to shatter, burst, or tame.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
'Break a leg' is a very common idiom in English-speaking theater culture used to wish performers good luck.
Quick Quiz
If you are tired, you should ____ for a few minutes.
Correct!
The correct answer is: break
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free