break a cycle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break a cycle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to interrupting a repetitive pattern or behavior, often in contexts like personal development or social issues. Example: "To improve our community, we need to break the cycle of poverty that has persisted for generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Compassion can break a cycle.

The Guardian - Opinion

Faison appears as a widower struggling to break a cycle of boredom in his golden years.

The New Yorker

They have an opportunity to break a cycle that has gone on for years".

The Guardian

Ownership, he contended, would help break a cycle of poverty and spur a desire to do better.

The New York Times

It is a form of direct action, a political intervention to break a cycle of violence and revenge.

The Guardian

Derek is such a creature of habit, to get him to break a cycle sometimes is difficult.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

I'm breaking a cycle.

The Guardian - Opinion

His decision, as Preston and Dillon show, would play a pivotal role in breaking a cycle of destruction and despair.

The New York Times - Books

A major part of the new strategy focuses on breaking a cycle that currently sends 40percentt of the nation's felons back to prison within three years.

The New York Times

And yet, despite having been brutalized by his own father, he never hits his wife or his children, breaking a cycle that Louis elsewhere suggests is invincible.

The New Yorker

He attacks Mr. Rangel as a "poster child for everything wrong with Washington," and he says he will wean welfare recipients from their addiction to handouts with jobs brought to the community with tax breaks, breaking "a cycle of dependence".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break a cycle", ensure the context clearly establishes the type of cycle being referred to (e.g., poverty, violence, addiction) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "break a cycle" without clearly understanding the underlying causes of the recurring pattern. Address the root problems, not just the symptoms, to effectively break the cycle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break a cycle" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "break" is the verb and "a cycle" is the object. It is used to express the action of interrupting or stopping a recurring pattern or sequence. As Ludwig indicates, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break a cycle" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the interruption of a recurring pattern, often with the intention of positive change. As Ludwig confirms, it is usable in written English. It finds frequent application in news media, formal business contexts, and scientific discussions, reflecting its versatility and widespread acceptance. When using "break a cycle", ensure clarity by specifying the nature of the cycle to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "end a pattern", "disrupt a pattern", and "halt a recurrence" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop a vicious circle

Specifically targets negative repeating situations.

end a pattern

Focuses on concluding a sequence, removing the cyclical aspect.

disrupt a pattern

Highlights an interruption in a sequence or arrangement.

halt a recurrence

Emphasizes stopping something from happening again.

interrupt a sequence

Emphasizes briefly stopping a series of events.

put an end to repetition

Stresses stopping something that happens repeatedly.

reverse a trend

Indicates changing the direction of something that is consistently developing.

overcome a habit

Focuses on ceasing a personal, often unconscious behavior.

change a routine

Implies altering a fixed series of actions.

abandon a custom

Focuses on stopping a traditional or societal practice.

FAQs

How can I use "break a cycle" in a sentence?

You can use "break a cycle" to describe interrupting a repetitive pattern, such as "To improve our community, we need to break the cycle of poverty that has persisted for generations."

What can I say instead of "break a cycle"?

You can use alternatives like "end a pattern", "disrupt a pattern", or "halt a recurrence" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "break a cycle" or "end a cycle"?

Both "break a cycle" and "end a pattern" are correct, but "break a cycle" specifically implies interrupting a recurring, often negative, sequence. "End a pattern" is more general and can refer to stopping any sequence, cyclical or not.

What is the difference between "break a cycle" and "stop a vicious circle"?

"Break a cycle" is a general term for interrupting any recurring pattern. "Stop a vicious circle" specifically refers to ending a repeating negative or harmful situation.