break the link

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break the link" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate the action of severing a connection or relationship, whether literal or metaphorical. Example: "To ensure security, we need to break the link between the two systems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I don't want to break the link with working people.

The Guardian

St Paul said that we have to break the link between God's will and religious laws.

The Guardian - Opinion

This may be the only way to break the link between elections and civil disorder.

The Guardian - Opinion

One thing we must do is break the link between addiction and crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

The idea was both to get competence and to break the link with money.

The New York Times

Russia needs new leaders who can break the link with those of the 1990s".

The Guardian

It promised to break the link between British courts and the European court of human rights.

The Guardian

Labour is now willing to break the link between finance and provision.

The Economist

We must break the link between leaving Africa and other parts of the world".

The Guardian

The bill will in effect break the link between the benefits cap and median earnings.

The Guardian

If its policies break the link between tutoring and income, it may yet become fact.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break the link" when you want to emphasize severing a connection that is preventing progress or causing a negative outcome. For example, "We need to break the link between poverty and crime to improve our society."

Common error

Avoid using "break the link" when a more nuanced term like "weaken" or "modify" is more appropriate. Breaking a link implies a complete severing, not a partial adjustment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the link" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of severing a connection, relationship, or association between two or more entities or concepts. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "break the link" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of severing a connection or relationship, as validated by Ludwig AI. It finds frequent use in news, scientific, and business contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives like ""sever the connection"" or ""dissolve the bond"" exist, "break the link" maintains its relevance due to its clear and direct meaning. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a complete severing rather than a partial weakening of the connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disconnect the link

Similar to 'sever the connection', but emphasizes a physical or technological disconnection.

sever the connection

Focuses more on cutting off a direct connection, either physical or digital.

rupture the connection

Implies a forceful or sudden breaking of a link.

dissolve the bond

Implies breaking an emotional or abstract connection, often between people or groups.

terminate the relationship

Specifically refers to ending a formal or informal relationship between entities.

disrupt the association

Highlights the act of interfering with or preventing a connection from functioning smoothly.

fragment the relationship

Focuses on breaking a relationship into smaller, disconnected parts.

abolish the tie

Suggests a complete and formal ending of a connection, often legal or traditional.

erase the association

Suggests completely removing any trace of a connection or relationship.

nullify the bond

Refers to making a bond or connection invalid or without legal force.

FAQs

How can I use "break the link" in a sentence?

You can use "break the link" to describe severing a connection between two things, such as "The goal is to "break the link" between addiction and crime".

What are some alternatives to "break the link"?

Alternatives include "sever the connection", "dissolve the bond", or "terminate the relationship", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "break the link", or are there situations where a different phrase is better?

While generally correct, "break the link" implies a complete severing. If you intend a partial or weakened connection, consider alternatives like "weaken the connection" or "modify the relationship".

What's the difference between ""break the link"" and "weaken the link"?

"Break the link" implies a complete separation, while "weaken the link" means reducing the strength of the connection, but not necessarily eliminating it entirely.