are broken when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are broken when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition or situation in which something becomes broken or ceases to function properly under certain circumstances. Example: "The rules are broken when players do not follow the established guidelines during the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"We are broken when we are separate".

The New York Times

Whites are broken when the whites develop a sandy texture and won't go glossy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some of the hydrogen bonds are broken when ice melts, and the structure collapses with an increase in density.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unsurprisingly, most of these are broken when we approach a season at its outset and then misapplied once the season's in progress.

The Guardian - Sport

Reacher's strength might be hard to believe, but when bone hits bone, when arms and faces are broken, when villains are choked to death, it feels real.

The New Yorker

Yet, moments later, Dorothy looks at the woman in the poster in a series of matched closeups that are broken when Dorothy hears yelling in the street, looks out the window, and sees a handcuffed black man being gunned down at point-blank range by the police.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Her heart was broken when she was young.

The Guardian

"When something is wrong, when something is broken, when something is dirty, we are responsible".

The New York Times - Magazine

The rule can be broken when there is an economic downturn.

The Economist

That streak, however, is likely to be broken when actual nominees are being voted on.

The New York Times

His orbital bone was broken when he was struck in the face by Hedberg's stick.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "are broken when" to clearly indicate the conditions under which something fails or becomes non-functional.

Common error

Avoid using "are broken when" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise or technical language may be preferred. Consider alternatives like "malfunction under" or "become inoperable under" for greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are broken when" functions as a relative clause, typically indicating the specific conditions or circumstances that cause something to become damaged or non-functional. Ludwig AI identifies its usage in sentences describing failure states. Examples include scenarios where rules are violated or physical objects cease to work.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are broken when" is a common relative clause used to describe the conditions under which something becomes damaged or ceases to function. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in highly formal or technical contexts where more precise alternatives might be more suitable. This explanation covers usage, grammatical correctness, and contextual relevance, offering comprehensive guidance for effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail when

This alternative focuses on the cessation of functionality under certain conditions.

stop working when

This alternative emphasizes the interruption of operation in specific circumstances.

malfunction when

This alternative suggests improper or abnormal functioning under specific circumstances.

cease to function when

This alternative highlights the termination of activity due to certain conditions.

become inoperable when

This alternative emphasizes the loss of operability under specific circumstances.

break down when

This alternative emphasizes the point of failure under certain conditions.

become defective when

This alternative refers to a certain condition that makes something faulty.

give way when

This alternative refers to collapse or failure under pressure.

fall apart when

This alternative highlights disintegration or crumbling under specific circumstances.

deteriorate when

This alternative emphasizes decline and loss of quality under specific conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "are broken when" in a sentence?

The phrase "are broken when" is used to describe a condition that leads to something being broken or non-functional. For example, "Rules "are broken when" they are not followed consistently."

What's a more formal alternative to "are broken when"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases such as "cease to function under", "become inoperable under", or "malfunction under specific conditions" as alternatives to "are broken when".

Is it grammatically correct to say "is broken when" instead of "are broken when"?

The choice between "is" and "are" depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "is broken when" for singular subjects (e.g., "The toy is broken when it falls") and "are broken when" for plural subjects (e.g., "The toys "are broken when" they fall").

What does "Hearts are broken when" mean in the card game?

In the card game Hearts, "Hearts "are broken when"" refers to a point in the game when a player is allowed to lead with a Heart suit card, usually after a Heart has been played earlier due to a player's inability to follow suit.