breach of contract

USAGE SUMMARY

'breach of contract' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when one party of a contract fails to fulfill the terms and conditions of the agreement. For example, "The company was found guilty of breach of contract after they failed to make payments on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"This is a breach of contract".

The New York Times

Gottwald countersued for breach of contract.

The Guardian - Music

Trump sued for breach of contract.

The New Yorker

Fifa has threatened to sue for breach of contract.

Independent

He filed a suit against S for breach of contract.

The New York Times

Bergé sued for breach of contract and won a settlement.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ackman sued in 2004, contending breach of contract.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The court upheld an $18.6 million breach-of-contract judgment.

The New York Times

Now he has filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit.

The New York Times

As a breach-of-contract case, it affected no player but Hunter.

The New York Times - Sports

Will Hutson: Y'know, nobody really likes songs about breach-of-contract.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting contracts, clearly define what constitutes a "breach of contract" to avoid ambiguity and potential disputes. Specificity is key.

Common error

Don't assume every minor deviation from a contract's terms is a "breach of contract". A material breach, which substantially defeats the purpose of the contract, is typically required for legal action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breach of contract" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows it is often used in legal contexts when discussing violations of contractual agreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breach of contract" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to the violation of agreed-upon terms within a contract. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. To enhance clarity in legal documents, it's best practice to define clearly what constitutes a breach to avoid misunderstandings. Common errors include assuming immaterial deviations are grounds for legal action. Alternatives to "breach of contract" include "contract violation", "non-performance of contract", and "failure to fulfill contractual obligations".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contractual breach

This rearranges the words while maintaining the core meaning.

contract violation

This alternative is a more general term referring to any violation of a contract's terms.

non-performance of contract

This alternative emphasizes the failure to fulfill contractual obligations.

failure to fulfill contractual obligations

This alternative elaborates on the concept of not meeting the requirements of a contract.

default on contract

This alternative implies a failure to meet financial obligations within a contract.

contract infringement

This suggests a violation of the rights or terms established in the contract.

agreement violation

This broadens the scope to include violations of any type of agreement, not just formal contracts.

violation of agreement

This is similar to "agreement violation" but emphasizes the act of violating.

dereliction of contract

This uses a more formal term, "dereliction", to indicate a neglect of contractual duty.

reneging on a contract

This is an informal way of saying someone is not honoring their agreement.

FAQs

What constitutes a "breach of contract"?

A "breach of contract" is an unjustifiable failure to perform the terms outlined in a contract when performance is due. This can range from failing to deliver goods or services to not making payments as agreed.

What remedies are available for a "breach of contract"?

Remedies for a "breach of contract" can include monetary damages to compensate for losses, specific performance (requiring the breaching party to fulfill their obligations), or rescission of the contract (canceling the agreement).

What is the difference between a material and minor "breach of contract"?

A material "breach of contract" significantly affects the purpose of the agreement, allowing the non-breaching party to sue for damages. A minor breach, also known as a partial breach, is less significant and may not justify terminating the contract, though damages might still be recoverable.

What can I say instead of "breach of contract"?

You can use alternatives like "contract violation", "non-performance of contract", or "failure to fulfill contractual obligations", depending on the context.