break the record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break the record" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when someone accomplishes something greater than has ever been done before. For example, "Sally broke the record for most Push-ups completed in a minute!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Actually, I want to break the record".

The New York Times - Sports

How can I actually break the record?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And I would like to see him break the record".

The New York Times - Sports

It's no surprise they're about to break the record".

The New York Times - Sports

"Why not let him break the record?" Hirohashi asked.

The New York Times - Sports

"Nobody knows when he will break the record.

The New York Times

It had been expected to break the record.

The Guardian - Arts

"They just wanted to see him break the record".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm not trying to break the record today.

The New Yorker

"We need a hundred and ninety to break the record".

The New Yorker

He is the first Kenyan to break the record.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about achievements, use "break the record" to emphasize surpassing a previously established high score or benchmark. It's especially effective in sports, sales, or any context where quantifiable achievements are tracked.

Common error

Avoid using "break the record" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Instead of "The record was broken", specify who broke it: "She broke the record".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the record" functions as a verb phrase, where "break" is the verb indicating the action of surpassing, and "the record" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, exemplified in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Sports

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Tech

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break the record" is a widely used and grammatically correct way to describe surpassing a previously established high score or benchmark. Ludwig AI validates this, showcasing its frequent appearance in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. Alternatives like ""shatter the record"" or ""beat the record"" offer nuanced variations, while avoiding passive constructions enhances clarity. Remember "break the record" when you want to emphasize achievement beyond existing limits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shatter the record

This alternative implies a more forceful or impressive breaking of the record.

beat the record

This alternative is a more general way to express surpassing a record.

surpass the record

This alternative suggests exceeding or going beyond the existing record.

exceed the record

This alternative highlights the act of going over the existing record.

top the record

This alternative implies reaching a higher level than the current record.

eclipse the record

This alternative suggests overshadowing the previous record.

better the record

This alternative simply means to improve upon the existing record.

outdo the record

This alternative suggests surpassing the record through effort or skill.

overcome the record

This alternative implies overcoming a challenge to break the record.

rewrite the record books

This alternative is a more figurative way of saying that a record has been broken, implying a significant change.

FAQs

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

You can use "break the record" to describe surpassing a previous best, such as: "The athlete managed to "break the record" in the 100-meter dash."

What is a synonym for "break the record"?

Alternatives include "shatter the record", "beat the record", or "surpass the record". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "broke the record"?

Yes, "broke the record" is the past tense form of "break the record" and is grammatically correct. For example, "He "broke the record" last year".

What's the difference between "break the record" and "set a record"?

"Break the record" means to exceed an existing record, while "set a record" means to establish a new record where none existed before or to achieve the highest level in a specific category.