break a shoulder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break a shoulder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an injury where someone has fractured or dislocated their shoulder. Example: "During the football game, he fell awkwardly and managed to break a shoulder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Break a shoulder!" Mr. Obama said.

The New York Times

Although one visitor was so unfortunate as to fall and break a shoulder while playing a game with his outing group, the Reservation has a long record of freedom from serious accidents".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When Monroe broke a shoulder strap, Ms. Crist supplied her with a safety pin and was granted an exclusive interview.

The New York Times

On Dec. 24, 2005, Ms. Israel's 93-year-old grandmother, Sophie, fell and broke a shoulder.

The New York Times

At 73 and even after breaking a shoulder, Mr. Arzak still shuffles back and forth between the tables and the kitchen that he runs alongside his daughter.

The New York Times

Among my wife's and my circle of close friends over the age of 70, one became crippled for life, one broke a shoulder and one broke a leg in falls on the sidewalk.

The New York Times - Science

SPORTS An article on April 6 about the deaths of two horses at the Grand National meeting at Aintree Racecourse in England misidentified, in some editions, the race in which the horse Little Josh broke a shoulder and was euthanized.

The New York Times

Australia's Richie Porte, who hit a tree and broke a shoulder blade shortly after Thomas hit the deck, will be an absentee, as will Italy's Vincenzo Nibali.

The Guardian - Sport

— When the conductor Kurt Masur, who has looked increasingly frail in recent years and who turned 85 on Wednesday, fell off a podium and into the audience in Paris in April, breaking a shoulder blade, it was announced that he would be unable to conduct until October.

The New York Times - Arts

At least you can make a quick comeback and it's better than breaking a shoulder.

BBC

Osprey Jones took over as skipper for the wins against France, Italy and Scotland, but broke a shoulder during last weekend's win at Murrayfield.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific incident, clearly indicate the mechanism of injury that led to someone "break a shoulder". For instance, mention a fall, collision, or overuse.

Common error

The phrase "break a shoulder" should typically be reserved for literal injuries. Avoid using it metaphorically, as it may sound awkward or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break a shoulder" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "break" is the verb indicating the action and "a shoulder" is the object of the verb. It describes the act of fracturing or otherwise severely injuring the shoulder bone or joint. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "break a shoulder" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, primarily used to describe a shoulder injury. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not overly frequent, it appears in diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a literal injury and is contextualized with relevant details about the mechanism of injury. Consider alternative phrases like "fracture a shoulder" or "dislocate a shoulder" for greater precision or variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fracture one's shoulder

Focuses specifically on the bone fracture aspect of a shoulder injury.

dislocate a shoulder

Refers to the displacement of the shoulder joint, instead of a fracture.

injure a shoulder

A broader term that encompasses any type of damage to the shoulder.

suffer a shoulder injury

Highlights the experience of receiving a shoulder injury.

damage a shoulder

Implies harm or impairment to the shoulder.

smash a shoulder

Conveys a more forceful and destructive impact to the shoulder.

traumatize a shoulder

Emphasizes the traumatic nature of the shoulder injury.

have shoulder trouble

Suggests ongoing or recurring issues with the shoulder.

bust a shoulder

An informal way to say "break a shoulder".

destroy a shoulder

A very strong verb with a negative connotation to say "break a shoulder".

FAQs

How to use "break a shoulder" in a sentence?

You can use "break a shoulder" to describe an injury, such as: "He fell off the ladder and "broke a shoulder"". Or, "She had to stop playing sports when she "broke her shoulder" in a skiing accident".

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

Alternatives include "fracture a shoulder", "dislocate a shoulder", or "injure a shoulder" depending on the context of the injury.

Is it better to say "break a shoulder" or "fracture a shoulder"?

While both phrases are grammatically sound, ""fracture a shoulder"" might be considered more precise in medical contexts, whereas "break a shoulder" is more common in everyday language.

What are the common causes of "breaking a shoulder"?

Common causes include falls, direct blows to the shoulder, and high-impact sports injuries. Osteoporosis can also increase the risk of "breaking a shoulder" in older adults.