a broken part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broken part" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a component that is damaged or not functioning properly. Example: "The machine stopped working because it had a broken part that needed to be replaced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Hinchcliffe survived his own life-threatening injury when a broken part from his car pierced an artery during a 2015 crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Guardian - Sport

The space agency late tonight delayed the launching of the space shuttle Columbia for at least four days to repair a broken part on its astronomical payload.

The New York Times

The shuttle is scheduled to land on Saturday, and such objects can be worrisome since they could indicate a broken part on the spacecraft.

The New York Times - Science

He can scan a broken part that is no longer available into a computer, or design a missing one from scratch, and then print out a copy made of plastic.

The Economist

From the inset of Fig. 5c, a broken part can be seen.

Nanoscale Research Letters

In the initial American NIH Nanomedicine Roadmap Initiative disease is sometimes referred to as 'a broken part of a cell', and a long-term goal for nanomedicine is partly defined as being able to replace such a broken part 'with a miniature biological machine' (Tibbals [2011], 52).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

You will also need a pretty good plan or story in the event the recipient wants to know how that expensive mixer is working out for you, although spinning a "broken parts" tale can often deter further exploration.

WikiHow

For example, she dealt with a situation where a new feature was launched and it broke another part of the service, and each subsequent attempt at fixing the broken part resulted in a new broken part.

TechCrunch

But to many in China the focus on a single broken part overlooked the likely role of a deeper problem underlying China's rise: a pervasive corruption and moral disregard that had already led to milk tainted by chemicals reaching the market, and shoddy bridges and highways built hastily in order to meet political targets.

The New Yorker

It is also revealed that the feather-like structure has symmetrical features, and a small broken part of the assemblies indicated with arrow shows branching or splitting behaviors of the nanowire assemblies.

Nanoscale Research Letters

This involves design of a new part, copy of an existing part, recovery of a damaged or broken part, improvement of model precision and inspection of a numerical model.

Advances in Engineering Software

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a technical issue, be specific about which "a broken part" is causing the problem to provide clarity for troubleshooting or repair.

Common error

Avoid using "a broken part" as a catch-all term. Identifying the specific component that is broken leads to faster and more effective resolutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broken part" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It refers to a component or piece that is damaged or non-functional. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in describing mechanical failures, scientific contexts, and metaphorical situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

29%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broken part" is a noun phrase used to describe a component that is damaged or not functioning correctly. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and commonly used. Its applications span various contexts, from news and media to scientific research and general how-to guides. When using this phrase, specificity is crucial for effective communication. Consider alternatives like "damaged component" or "faulty piece" depending on the desired level of formality. While "a broken part" is widely accepted, remember to replace or repair the broken component when necessary to restore functionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a damaged component

Focuses on the damaged state of the component rather than the fact that it's broken.

a faulty piece

Highlights the defect or malfunction of the piece.

a defective element

Emphasizes that the element has an inherent flaw.

a malfunctioning component

Specifically indicates that the component is not working as intended.

a non-operational section

Describes a section that is not currently working or usable.

a impaired segment

Suggests that the segment has been weakened or damaged.

a busted piece

An informal way to indicate that something is broken.

a wrecked fragment

Implies a more severe form of breakage, suggesting the fragment is ruined.

a crumbled portion

Indicates that the portion has broken into small pieces.

a shattered segment

Suggests a violent breakage into many pieces.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a broken part" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "a damaged component" or "a malfunctioning unit". These options convey the same meaning with a greater level of professional formality.

What's a more casual synonym for "a broken part"?

Informally, you might say "a busted piece" or "a wrecked fragment". These terms are suitable for everyday conversation but less appropriate for formal or technical contexts.

Is it always necessary to replace "a broken part"?

While replacement is often the best solution, consider repair options if the "a broken part" is valuable or difficult to source. Methods like soldering, gluing, or using replacement materials can sometimes restore functionality.

What should I do before attempting to fix something with "a broken part"?

Before fixing anything, identify the specific "a broken part" and understand why it failed. Then consult repair manuals or seek expert advice to avoid causing further damage or injury.