break borders

USAGE SUMMARY

"break borders" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is challenging a pre-existing barrier or limitation. For example, "Her innovative artwork attempts to break borders and explore new possibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's done in a very aggressive, often violent way, that you need to break borders, upheave a whole structure in order to make a difference.

The Guardian - Arts

IS "will continue to wage jihad, break borders," he said, "and one day invade your land where we will rule by the Sharia".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For Izzard, it's about breaking borders, and breaking records.

Independent

Rectangles with red broken borders denote the horizontal area of the grid search for the source location.

Earth, Planets and Space

He breaks borders by undermining definition every time he senses it.

Huffington Post

But Jazar Crew are far from the only artists breaking borders and putting Palestine back on the map through culture.

Vice

Immigration then was not just about fixing America's alleged broken borders but a crass, naked political grab for Latino votes.

Huffington Post

Let me avert my eyes by watching a big TV prom where all the monstrous television characters–Hannah Horvath have become sentient in worlds with bent and broken borders.

Vice

We may not like it, but Trump has connected with voters on issues like trade with China and America's broken borders.... Trump will continue to advance those messages, but you don't have to go along with his more extreme positioning.

Huffington Post

At a time as perilous as this (with a possible Recession on the horizon, low wages, broken borders, a ballooning deficit, ISIS and urban crime), Iowa's GOP voters gave a strong vote of confidence to the comparatively more emotionally stable Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.

Huffington Post

By smashing the vitriolic Sunni regimes on either side of the modern Iranian state, itself a truncated core of the millennia-old Persian empire, Iran could now vastly expand it's influence among it's destabilized neighbors across their broken borders.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break borders", consider the context. It implies a forceful or disruptive action, suitable when emphasizing overcoming significant obstacles or limitations. Using gentler alternatives such as "cross boundaries" may be more appropriate in some situations.

Common error

While "break borders" can be impactful, it can sound too aggressive or informal in academic or business writing. In such contexts, consider alternatives like "transcend boundaries" or "overcome limitations" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break borders" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "break" acts as the verb and "borders" as its direct object. It's used to describe an action of surpassing or shattering limitations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "break borders" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of overcoming limitations or boundaries, as validated by Ludwig AI. While versatile, its usage leans more towards neutral to informal contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, consider the impact of the phrase, as it suggests a forceful or disruptive action. In formal settings, consider using gentler alternatives like "transcend boundaries". With a source quality score of 85 and an expert rating of 4.1, understanding its context and tone will enhance your writing. As Ludwig examples show, the phrase appears across diverse subjects, suggesting wide applicability with mindful adaptation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transcend boundaries

Focuses on exceeding limitations rather than actively breaking them.

defy borders

Highlights resistance against limitations.

cross boundaries

Emphasizes the act of moving past borders.

overcome limitations

Shifts focus to the act of conquering constraints, not specifically physical borders.

eliminate barriers

Suggests removing obstacles, which can be less aggressive than "break".

tear down walls

Uses a metaphor of physical barriers to represent overcoming obstacles.

push the envelope

Implies expanding limits or going beyond the expected.

challenge conventions

Focuses on questioning established norms, which may or may not involve physical borders.

redefine limits

Emphasizes the act of setting new boundaries rather than eliminating old ones.

disrupt norms

Highlights the act of interrupting or disturbing established patterns.

FAQs

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

You can use "break borders" to describe actions that overcome limitations, such as "The artist sought to break borders between different art forms" or "The new policy aims to break borders and promote international collaboration".

What are some alternatives to "break borders"?

Alternatives include "transcend boundaries", "defy borders", or "cross boundaries", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "break borders" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "break borders" can sound aggressive. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "overcome limitations" or "expand horizons" for a more neutral tone.

What does it mean to "break borders" in a figurative sense?

Figuratively, "break borders" refers to challenging or overcoming limitations that are not necessarily physical, such as social norms, intellectual constraints, or artistic conventions.