What Does “Break sth” Mean?
“Break sth” means to cause something to separate into pieces or stop working properly. It is used when an object is damaged or no longer functions as expected.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “break sth” is very common in English. It is used to talk about damaging or causing something to stop working. The “sth” part stands for “something,” which means you use this phrase when referring to an object or item. Understanding the break sth meaning helps learners describe situations where things get damaged or stop functioning. For example, if you drop your phone and it no longer works, you can say, “I broke my phone.” This phrase is simple but essential for everyday conversations, especially when explaining accidents or problems with objects.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: break sth (break something)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: A2–B1
- Short meaning: To damage something or cause it to stop working
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Break sth” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it needs an object (something broken). The object (sth) comes right after the verb “break.”
Pattern: break + something
Example: break the window, break the rule, break the machine
This phrasal verb is not separable. You cannot put the object between “break” and anything else because “break” is a simple verb followed by its object.
How to Use “Break sth”?
Use “break sth” when you want to say that something has been damaged or stopped working. It can refer to physical objects like glass, phones, or toys, or more abstract things like rules or promises.
For example, “He broke the vase” means he caused the vase to fall apart or crack. You can also say, “She broke the rule,” which means she did not follow the rule.
It is common in everyday speech to explain accidents, mistakes, or problems with objects and systems.
Examples
- He accidentally broke the window while playing football.
- Don’t break the phone; it’s very expensive.
- She broke the record for the fastest runner in the race.
- They broke the contract because they did not agree on the terms.
- Can you fix it, or did you break it for good?
These examples show how to use “break sth in a sentence” with different objects and meanings.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I breaked the glass yesterday.
Correct: I broke the glass yesterday. - Incorrect: She break the rule.
Correct: She broke the rule. - Incorrect: He breaked his phone accidentally.
Correct: He broke his phone accidentally.
Remember, “break” is an irregular verb, so the past tense is “broke,” not “breaked.”
Differences / Synonyms
- Break sth vs. Damage sth: “Break” usually means causing something to stop working or to split into pieces. “Damage” means harming something but not always completely breaking it. Example: You can damage a car by scratching it, but you break a car if the engine stops working.
- Break sth vs. Smash sth: “Smash” means to break something violently into many pieces, while “break” can be less forceful. Example: He smashed the glass, but she broke the glass (it could be a small crack).
- Break sth vs. Crack sth: “Crack” means to make a small line or fracture. “Break” means separating into parts or stopping working. Example: The cup cracked but did not break.
Common Collocations
- break a window
- break a phone
- break a rule
- break a promise
- break a machine
- break a record
- break a contract
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of break sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Oh no! I think I broke your phone.
Mark: What happened?
Anna: It slipped from my hand and fell on the floor.
Mark: Is it still working?
Anna: No, the screen is cracked, and it won’t turn on.
Mark: Don’t worry, we can get it fixed.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) She break the vase yesterday.
- b) She broke the vase yesterday.
- c) She breaking the vase yesterday.
Answer: b) She broke the vase yesterday.
Fill in the blank:
He __________ the rule by coming late to work.
Answer: broke
FAQs
- Q: Can “break sth” be used for abstract things?
A: Yes, you can say “break a rule” or “break a promise.” - Q: Is “break” regular or irregular?
A: “Break” is irregular; past tense is “broke.” - Q: Can I say “breaked”?
A: No, the correct past tense is “broke.” - Q: What is the difference between “break” and “smash”?
A: “Smash” means breaking violently into pieces, “break” can be less forceful. - Q: Is “break sth” separable?
A: No, the object comes directly after “break.”
