break contact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break contact" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It often refers to the action of disconnecting or ceasing communication with someone. Example: After the heated argument, Sarah decided it was best to break contact with her ex-boyfriend for a while. Example 2: The company's public relations team advised the CEO to break contact with the controversial influencer to avoid any negative associations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

She'd get spooked, push back hard, try to break contact.

The New York Times

In them Ms. Peck is perpetually supported by Mr. Angle; neither wants to break contact for a moment.

The New York Times - Arts

There will also be tougher penalties for parents who break contact orders by blocking their estranged partners from accessing their children.

The Guardian

They may stop seeing you, break contact with you and appear frightened (like someone's 'looking over their shoulder') when they do see you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Taliban would ambush patrols and typically break contact and slip away as patrol leaders organized and escalated Western firepower in response.

The New York Times

We present a wearable fingertip haptic device with the ability to make and break contact in addition to rendering both shear and normal skin deformation to the fingerpad.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

A custom-made scanning tunneling microscope is used to form and break contacts between two Al polycrystalline wires (99.95% purity).

Nanoscale Research Letters

From initiation to elongation, RNAPII must break contacts with the PIC.

Chemical Reviews

Cells not only make but also break contacts with their neighboring cells during various morphogenetic events, such as collective cell migration and cell ingression [4,9,58 61].

Current Biology

Ultimately, these individuals will suggest that you break contacts with those with whom you seem most connected.

WikiHow

The switching occurs when the manipulator makes or breaks contact with the environment.

Automatica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break contact" when you want to clearly indicate a deliberate decision to end or avoid communication. It is particularly effective in situations where maintaining contact could be detrimental or counterproductive.

Common error

Avoid using "break contact" if you intend a temporary pause in communication. More appropriate phrases for temporary pauses are "suspend communication" or "go silent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break contact" functions as a verb phrase. It signifies the action of stopping communication or disengaging from a relationship. Ludwig AI validates this use, as exemplified by various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break contact" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that signifies a deliberate cessation of communication or disengagement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent appearances in various contexts. Its primary function is to convey a clear decision to end or avoid communication, often for reasons of personal well-being or boundary setting. While it can be used across various registers, it tends toward neutral to informal contexts, being particularly prevalent in news, media and wiki sources. When choosing to use this phrase, it's important to consider its implications and ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning, especially distinguishing it from temporary pauses in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cut ties

Emphasizes severing connections or bonds.

cease communication

Focuses specifically on stopping communication.

end communication

Directly states the termination of communication.

sever connection

Focuses on the act of cutting off a link or relationship.

discontinue relations

Highlights the ending of a formal relationship.

terminate relations

Implies a more formal ending of a relationship.

disengage

Highlights a withdrawal from involvement or interaction.

drop out of touch

Indicates a gradual loss of contact.

go silent

Describes the act of ceasing to communicate or respond.

suspend communication

Suggests a temporary halt to communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "break contact" to describe a deliberate decision to end communication. For example, "After several attempts to resolve the issue, she decided to "break contact" with the client."

What's the difference between "break contact" and "cut ties"?

"Break contact" generally refers to stopping communication, while "cut ties" implies ending a broader relationship or association. You might "break contact" with a former colleague without necessarily "cutting ties" professionally.

What can I say instead of "break contact"?

You can use alternatives like "cease communication", "discontinue relations", or "cut ties" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to "break contact" with someone?

It is appropriate to ""break contact"" when communication is causing harm, preventing healing, or when you need to establish firm boundaries. This is often seen in situations like abusive relationships or unproductive business partnerships.