break cracked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break cracked" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that has been broken and is also cracked, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The vase was both broken and cracked after the fall."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Sports

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The play gave Dickerson a chance to tie the game, but his pull-up 3-pointer on the fast break cracked off the rim with 4 30 left.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

More than 10 books are being released, most in April and May, with titles that promise to break, crack, unlock or decode "The Da Vinci Code".

The New York Times

Juan Mata put the hosts ahead after the break, cracking home a fine first-time shot from the edge of the box.

BBC

The easy availability of rice dictated that practically all distilled spirits were made from one of three types of rice: regular rice, glutinous rice, or broken (cracked) rice.

BMC Public Health

Do not pick out mussels that have broken, cracked or split shells.

WikiHow

'Safe' means, in this case, out of the light, out of the heat, out of danger of being drunk, out of danger of breaking, cracking, or being dropped.

WikiHow

Be very careful if the window is broken or cracked and be sure to remove all pieces if the window is broken.

WikiHow

"We had broken and cracked terra cotta.

The New York Times

Broken or cracked meringues are very forgiving.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tow surfers endure broken necks, cracked femurs and punctured lungs, though, to date, surprisingly few fatalities.

The New York Times - Books

Otherwise they may grow long and uneven, causing improper action, undue stress on joints, and broken or cracked hooves.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "break cracked", opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "broken and cracked" or "fractured and broken" to clearly convey the intended meaning of damage.

Common error

Avoid unconventional word orders like "break cracked". Sticking to standard constructions such as "broken and cracked" enhances clarity and prevents confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break cracked" is typically intended to function as a descriptive term, indicating that something is both broken and cracked. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the word order is grammatically incorrect, which reduces its effectiveness in communication.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "break cracked" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in formal writing. As Ludwig AI explains, it's more appropriate to use alternatives like "broken and cracked" or other similar phrases. While the phrase can be found across various contexts like news, wikis, and science, its lack of grammatical correctness detracts from its utility. Stick to standard constructions to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing. Since the phrase is incorrect, its frequency is low.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broken and cracked

Reverses the order of the words, which is more common.

fractured and broken

Uses "fractured" as a synonym for "cracked", emphasizing the severity of the damage.

split and cracked

Emphasizes the separation aspect of the damage.

damaged and broken

Uses a more general term, "damaged", to describe the state.

ruptured and cracked

Implies a more forceful break or tear.

shattered and fractured

Indicates a complete loss of integrity with extensive damage.

faulted and cracked

Uses "faulted" to suggest a structural weakness leading to the damage.

compromised and cracked

Focuses on the loss of structural integrity.

defective and cracked

Highlights the presence of a flaw leading to the damage.

flawed and cracked

Suggests an inherent imperfection causing the cracking.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "break cracked"?

The phrase "break cracked" is grammatically incorrect. More suitable alternatives include "broken and cracked" or "fractured and broken" which clearly describe an item that is both broken and cracked.

How can I describe something that's partially damaged instead of using "break cracked"?

Instead of using "break cracked", you could say "slightly damaged", "partially broken", or "cracked" depending on the extent of the damage.

When is it appropriate to use "break cracked" in a sentence?

Given that "break cracked" is not standard English, it's generally not appropriate to use it in formal writing. Always choose more grammatically correct and widely understood alternatives.

Is there a difference between "break cracked" and "broken and cracked"?

Yes, there is a significant difference. "Break cracked" is grammatically incorrect, while "broken and cracked" is a standard and correct way to describe something that has both broken and cracked.