as it shattered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it shattered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action occurring simultaneously with the breaking or fracturing of an object. Example: "The glass fell from the table, and as it shattered, everyone in the room gasped in surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Glass crackled as it shattered.

The New York Times

I imagined it screaming as it shattered and burned.

The Guardian - Books

Noah hit it with a baseball bat, and Evan laughed and enthusiastically shouted "destruction" as it shattered in a million pieces.

Huffington Post

Watching the two talented wrestlers with the glass in the sunlight glinting as it shattered in the air, it took on an almost performance art like feel.

Vice

The explosion was so powerful that it left 42 people injured as it shattered windows as far as 70 meters away.

Vice

However, despite the Spanish failure to exploit militarily the victory of Gembloux, it rendered important political benefits to the royal cause in the Netherlands, as it shattered the unity of the Dutch rebels.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

However adolescent his humor, though, it can be serious and revealing as it shatters cultural assumptions.

The New York Times - Arts

Using Mr. Suliman's nuanced turn as ballast — this is what a lonely heart looks like as it shatters — Mr. Doueiri creates a foundation of realism that makes an increasingly meaningful contrast with Amin's idealized memories of Siham.

The New York Times

The novel, while long-winded, finds its stride in the quiet moments between Rachel and Zachariah, particularly when they reflect on the world they've built with their love, even as it shatters the lives of those around them.

The New Yorker

Below, you can see a kind of ghostly skeleton forming as the force of the air creates ruptures in the rubber: Even something as mundane as spaghetti can become a spectacle as it shatters into hundreds of shards: The world around us is explosively alive, if you just take the time to slow down and appreciate it.

BBC

And then listen out for the crack as it shatters into a hundred pieces.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it shattered" to vividly describe a moment when something breaks, linking the breaking action to another simultaneous event for a richer, more dynamic description. For example, "The vase fell, and memories flooded back as it shattered."

Common error

Avoid using "as it shattered" excessively in long, convoluted sentences. Overusing it can make your writing sound clunky and difficult to follow. Opt for simpler constructions or break the sentence into smaller, more manageable parts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it shattered" functions as a subordinating conjunction, linking a dependent clause describing the action of shattering to an independent clause describing a simultaneous event or state. The phrase adds detail and immediacy to the description, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as it shattered" is a grammatically sound and usable conjunction phrase, though relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms that it's primarily used to link the action of something breaking to a simultaneous event, creating a vivid and descriptive effect. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it maintains a generally neutral register. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and ensure its appropriateness for the specific context to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the act of shattering

Emphasizes the process of shattering as it occurs.

while it broke

Replaces "shattered" with a more general term for breaking, maintaining the temporal relationship.

at the point of shattering

Pinpoints the specific moment when the shattering occurs.

as it fragmented

Substitutes "shattered" with a word that emphasizes the splitting into multiple pieces.

during its collapse

Shifts focus to the action of collapsing while something is breaking, implying structural failure.

when it crumbled

Implies a softer, less violent breaking action than "shattered".

simultaneous with its breaking

Highlights the simultaneity of the event using more formal language.

upon its disintegration

Uses a more formal term, 'disintegration', to describe the breaking apart of something, altering tone.

the moment it fractured

Focuses on the specific instance of fracturing, changing the emphasis slightly.

just as it burst

Highlights a sudden and forceful breaking, different from a gradual shattering.

FAQs

How can I use "as it shattered" in a sentence?

Use "as it shattered" to describe a simultaneous event occurring when something breaks. For instance, "The mirror reflected her despair "as it shattered" into a million pieces".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "as it shattered"?

Alternatives include phrases like "while it broke", "as it fragmented", or "when it crumbled", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "as it shattered" and "when it shattered"?

While both indicate a temporal relationship, "as it shattered" emphasizes the simultaneity of the shattering with another action or event. "When it shattered" simply indicates that something happened at the time of the shattering.

Can "as it shattered" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "as it shattered" can be used in formal writing, but it's important to consider the overall tone and context. It's generally suitable for descriptive passages, but less appropriate for highly technical or academic contexts.