Hey friends! Today, I’m excited to dive into a topic that can significantly boost your English fluency — sentences using collocations with the word “break.” Whether you're a student, professional, or just a language learner, understanding how to use “break” with different words will make your speech and writing sound more natural and native-like.
So, what’s the big deal about collocations? Simply put, they are words that frequently go together. Mastering collocations with “break” helps you sound more authentic, enhances your vocabulary, and makes your communication clearer. And don’t worry — I’ll guide you through everything step by step, including common mistakes, tips, and practice exercises. Ready? Let’s get started!
Understanding Collocations With “Break”: What You Need to Know
First, let’s clarify what collocations are and why they matter. In simple terms, collocations are pairs or groups of words that are commonly used together. Using the correct collocation makes your language sound natural and fluent, rather than awkward or forced. “Break” is a versatile verb with many collocates that convey different meanings, from physical actions to emotional states.
Here’s a quick guide to collocations with “break”:
| Collocation | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Break a habit | To stop doing something regularly | “She’s trying to break her smoking habit.” |
| Break the law | To commit an illegal act | “He was arrested for breaking the law.” |
| Break a record | To achieve a new best | “The athlete broke the world record.” |
| Break the news | To reveal important or difficult information | “I didn’t want to break the news about the cancellation.” |
| Break a promise | To fail to keep a promise | “He felt bad for breaking his promise.” |
| Break into tears | To start crying suddenly | “She broke into tears after hearing the news.” |
| Break the bank | To spend all your money | “They didn’t want to break the bank on their vacation.” |
| Break down | To stop functioning or to become emotionally upset | “The car broke down on the highway.” / “He broke down after hearing the verdict.” |
Now, let’s dig deeper into these collocations, their meanings, and how to use them effectively.
Common Collocations with “Break” and How to Use Them
- Break a Habit
Definition: To stop doing something regularly, especially behaviors that have become ingrained.
Usage Tips:
- Often used with addictive or negative behaviors.
- Commonly paired with “smoking,” “drinking,” “procrastination.”
Example Sentences:
- “I’m trying to break my habit of procrastinating.”
- “She finally broke her habit of biting her nails.”
- Break the Law
Definition: To commit an illegal act, violating rules or regulations.
Usage Tips:
- Formal or informal contexts.
- Often associated with committing crimes.
Example Sentences:
- “Many teenagers unknowingly break the law.”
- “He was caught breaking the law during the protest.”
- Break a Record
Definition: To surpass previous achievements, setting a new benchmark.
Usage Tips:
- Common in sports and competitive fields.
- Often paired with specific events or accomplishments.
Example Sentences:
- “The swimmer broke the Olympic record.”
- “She broke the highest score in the game.”
- Break the News
Definition: To inform someone about important or often upsetting information.
Usage Tips:
- Usually involves sensitive information.
- Often used with “to” + a person or group.
Example Sentences:
- “He struggled to break the news to his parents.”
- “I don’t know how to break the news about the job rejection.”
- Break a Promise
Definition: To fail to keep an assurance or commitment.
Usage Tips:
- Common in personal relationships and agreements.
- Can be a source of disappointment or conflict.
Example Sentences:
- “She apologized for breaking her promise.”
- “I hate to break my promise, but I can’t attend the meeting.”
- Break into Tears
Definition: To start crying suddenly and uncontrollably.
Usage Tips:
- Describes emotional reactions.
- Often used after bad news or emotional stress.
Example Sentences:
- “He broke into tears after hearing the verdict.”
- “The movie was so touching that I almost broke into tears.”
- Break the Bank
Definition: To spend or risk all your money or resources.
Usage Tips:
- Common idiom related to gambling or expensive spending.
- Used metaphorically for hitting financial limits.
Example Sentences:
- “Buying that luxury car would break the bank.”
- “They don’t want to break the bank on the wedding.”
- Break Down
Definition: To stop working (for machines or systems) or to become emotionally upset.
Usage Tips:
- Can refer to mechanical failure or emotional distress.
- Context determines meaning.
Example Sentences:
- “My car broke down on the way to work.”
- “She broke down after hearing the bad news.”
Why Mastering These Collocations Matters
Using these collocations correctly not only enriches your vocabulary but also allows you to express ideas precisely and naturally. They can help you connect better with native speakers, write more convincingly, and understand authentic English conversations or texts.
Tips for Success in Using Collocations With “Break”
- Learn in context: Don’t memorize isolated phrases. Use sentences or stories.
- Practice actively: Try making your own sentences with each collocation.
- Use visual aids: Flashcards or charts can help cement the collocations.
- Listen and mimic: Pay attention to how native speakers use “break” collocations in podcasts, shows, or conversations.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Correct Approach | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Using “break” with unrelated words | Stick to common collocates | For example, “break happiness” is incorrect; should be “bring happiness.” |
| Overusing “break” inappropriately | Use contextually accurate collocations | Don’t force a collocation where it doesn’t fit. |
| Incorrect verb forms | Match tense and number | E.g., “broke the law,” not “breaked the law.” |
Similar Variations and Synonyms
While “break” is versatile, sometimes synonyms or variations can add flavor or clarity:
- “Miss” instead of “break” in some contexts (
miss a record) - Phrasal verbs like “burst into tears” (similar to “break into tears”)
- Idiomatic expressions like “call it a day” for ending something
The Importance of Using Collocations Correctly
Mastering collocations with “break” enhances both your comprehension and expression. It allows you to finish sentences more naturally, reduces misunderstandings, and increases your confidence in speaking and writing.
Practice Exercises to Master Collocations With “Break”
- Fill-in-the-Blank:
- She finally decided to ____ her smoking ____.
- After the accident, the car ____ ____ on the highway.
- During the meeting, he suddenly ____ ____ tears.
- Error Correction:
- Correct these sentences:
- “He broke the money on his vacation.”
- “They broke the record in the game.”
- “She broke the law while driving.”
- Identification:
- Identify the collocation in this sentence:
- “He was upset after breaking the news to his family.”
- Sentence Construction:
- Create sentences using:
- Break a promise
- Break the bank
- Break into tears
- Category Matching:
| Collocation | Category |
|---|---|
| Break a habit | Personal behavior |
| Break the law | Legal/legal compliance |
| Break a record | Sports/achievement |
| Break the news | Communication |
| Break into tears | Emotional response |
Summary & Final Tips
In conclusion, understanding and correctly using collocations with “break” is a powerful step toward sounding natural in English. Remember, context is king — always check that your collocations fit the situation. Practice regularly, and don’t be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. With time and effort, these phrases will become second nature, enriching your language skills.
So, next time you want to sound more fluent and authentic, think about your collocations with “break.” Keep practicing, stay curious, and happy learning! Mastering these expressions will truly elevate your English communication from good to great.