break ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"break ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as an idiom that means to start a project or to make a beginning, for example, "The construction company was ready to break ground on the new building next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I break ground.

The Guardian

When are you looking to break ground?

The New York Times

"The Chinese want to break ground yesterday.

The Economist

It will break ground in August.

The New York Times

When do you think you'll break ground?

The New York Times

In 2009 we didn't break ground for a single building.

The New York Times

Now LeFrak is ready to break ground again.

The New York Times

Still, an opera is not required to break ground.

The New York Times - Arts

A We're hoping to break ground in October.

The New York Times

Mascoma currently hopes to break ground at Kinross in 2011.

MIT Technology Review

We'll see how long it takes now to break ground".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break ground" when referring to the commencement of a construction project or a significant new endeavor. It implies a formal start and a commitment to moving forward.

Common error

Avoid using "break ground" in contexts where a literal breaking of ground is not implied. Overusing it can sound cliché; consider more precise verbs like "start", "begin", or "initiate" for non-physical projects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break ground" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of a construction project or the initiation of a new venture. It is used to describe the action of starting something significant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break ground" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that signifies the beginning of a construction project or a new significant venture. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed in news and media, as well as in formal business contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it's best used when referring to substantial projects that involve literal or figurative initiation. Alternatives like "start building" or "initiate the project" can provide nuanced options, but "break ground" remains a solid choice for communicating the commencement of meaningful endeavors. Its authoritative sources and frequency in reputable publications underscore its reliability and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Commence construction

Focuses specifically on the initiation of building or construction work.

Start building

A simpler, more direct way to express the beginning of construction.

Initiate the project

Emphasizes the commencement of a planned undertaking, not necessarily construction.

Begin work

A general term for starting any kind of work or activity.

Launch the venture

Highlights the start of a new business or commercial endeavor.

Embark on the endeavor

More formal and emphasizes the commitment to a new project.

Set in motion

Suggests the initiation of a process or series of events.

Get underway

Implies that something is starting and progressing.

Kick off

An informal way to say something is starting, often used for events or campaigns.

Get the ball rolling

Idiomatic expression meaning to start something and get it moving.

FAQs

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

You can use "break ground" to describe the start of a construction project, as in, "They will "break ground" on the new hospital next month". It can also refer to initiating a new venture, like, "The company plans to "break ground" in the renewable energy sector".

What are some alternatives to "break ground"?

Alternatives include "commence construction", "start building", or "initiate the project", depending on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "breaking ground" instead of "break ground"?

"Breaking ground" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "They are breaking ground") or as a gerund. "Break ground" is the base form, used in the infinitive (e.g., "They plan to break ground") or the simple present tense.

What's the difference between "break ground" and "groundbreaking"?

"Break ground" is a verb phrase describing the act of starting something new. "Groundbreaking" is an adjective describing something innovative or revolutionary. For example, "This technology is "groundbreaking"", meaning it's highly innovative.