break down barriers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break down barriers" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to taking action to eliminate or remove social, economic, and political obstacles. Example sentence: The charity organization is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities and breaking down barriers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We must "break down barriers, to welcome the stranger and love them as ourselves", he said.

The Guardian - Opinion

It helps break down barriers".

The Guardian

It can break down barriers.

The Guardian

But you find ways to survive and break down barriers.

Independent

A good cookbook can break down barriers like that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Such collaborations are beginning to break down barriers.

The Guardian - Books

His willingness to be himself, break down barriers".

The Guardian - Music

Nobody thinks the Saudi Olympic committee is in a hurry to break down barriers.

The New York Times - Sports

And more companies could break down barriers between things online and off.

The New York Times

We're trying to break down barriers and unnecessary taboos in the beverage industry.

The New Yorker

"We've got to come up with new products and break down barriers in foreign markets".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break down barriers", clearly specify which barriers you are referring to (e.g., "break down barriers to communication" or "break down economic barriers") to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "break down barriers" without specifying what those barriers are. Vague usage can diminish the impact of your message. Instead of saying 'we need to break down barriers', specify 'we need to break down barriers preventing access to healthcare'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break down barriers" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action taken to dismantle or overcome obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break down barriers" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe efforts to eliminate obstacles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Related phrases include "eliminate obstacles" and "remove the barriers". When using this phrase, it's best to specify the type of barriers you are referring to for maximum clarity. The phrase's versatility and frequent appearance in authoritative sources solidify its status as a reliable and effective expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break down hurdles

Replaces "barriers" with "hurdles", implying challenges to be overcome.

break down obstacles

Substitutes "barriers" with "obstacles", suggesting impediments to progress.

tear down barriers

Uses a more forceful verb, suggesting a more aggressive approach to removing barriers.

remove the barriers

Employs a different verb with a similar meaning, focusing on the removal aspect.

eliminate the obstacles

Uses a more decisive verb than "break down", emphasizing complete removal.

eliminate obstacles

Uses a more decisive verb than "break down", emphasizing complete removal.

break down inhibitions

Focuses on psychological barriers or constraints rather than physical or systemic ones.

break down challenges

Emphasizes difficulties that need resolution instead of established obstacles.

break barriers to

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the action of breaking barriers that lead to something else.

break barriers of

Changes the sentence structure, to specify what kind of barriers are broken.

FAQs

How can I use "break down barriers" in a sentence?

You can use "break down barriers" to describe actions that eliminate obstacles or divisions, such as "The new policy aims to "break down barriers" to education".

What can I say instead of "break down barriers"?

Alternatives include "eliminate obstacles", "remove the barriers", or "tear down barriers", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "break down barriers" or "remove barriers"?

Both "break down barriers" and "remove barriers" are correct. "Break down barriers" can suggest a more active and effortful process, while "remove barriers" is more straightforward. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What kind of barriers can you "break down"?

You can "break down" various types of barriers, including social, economic, political, cultural, and communication barriers. The key is to specify the type of barrier for clarity.