break the relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break the relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of ending or damaging a personal or professional connection with someone. Example: "After much consideration, I decided it was best to break the relationship with my business partner due to our differing values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

To touch is to break the relationship.

The New York Times - Travel

Such offenses break the relationship with the sacred order or impede the flow of divine life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In other words, for couples who had lots of stress, support had more power to make or break the relationship.

University of California, Berkeley

We don't have to break the relationship that existed for many years among us and our Muslim brothers.

The Guardian

"We in Britain have shown that it is possible to break the relationship between economic growth and ever rising pollution".

The New York Times

"I don't know if any one decision will make or break the relationship an elected official has with any community," Mr. Solano said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

One century ago, Schlemmer conducted a sequence of seminal experiments merging the body/design, movement/architecture, emotion/technology to break the relationships between body and space.

Harvard University

I didn't know what had broken the relationship.

The New York Times

When Britain should be standing its ground with America, it frets instead about breaking the relationship.

The Economist

The other side of the argument – and it will be heard on all four sides of the ground – is that he broke the relationship, not them.

The Guardian - Sport

Especially team leader who is older than a year angered to me and completely broken the relationship.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break the relationship", consider the context. For personal relationships, more empathetic language may be appropriate, while business contexts may require more direct and formal phrasing.

Common error

While "break the relationship" is grammatically correct, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or formal. Consider alternatives like "end things" or "go our separate ways" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the relationship" functions as a verb phrase, where "break" is the main verb and "the relationship" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "break the relationship" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the ending of a connection. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in various contexts. While versatile, it is frequently found in news and media, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. When choosing to use "break the relationship", consider the audience and context, as more empathetic or direct alternatives might be more appropriate. Common sources using this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian, and Forbes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end the relationship

This alternative is a more direct and commonly used synonym, implying a formal termination.

terminate the relationship

This alternative is more formal and suggests a definitive and official ending.

dissolve the relationship

This suggests a gradual ending, often used in business or legal contexts.

sever the ties

This alternative implies a forceful and complete cutting off of all connections.

rupture the connection

This suggests a sudden and often violent end to the association.

destroy the bond

This alternative focuses on the emotional or personal aspect of the separation.

cut off contact

This phrase emphasizes the cessation of communication and interaction.

discontinue the association

This is a formal way of saying to end a professional or organizational connection.

abandon the connection

This alternative indicates a complete departure from the relationship, often unexpectedly.

separate from the connection

This is a more descriptive and general way to refer to the ending of the relationship.

FAQs

What does "break the relationship" mean?

The phrase "break the relationship" means to end or severely disrupt a connection or association, whether it's personal, professional, or otherwise. It implies a termination of the bond between two or more parties.

What can I say instead of "break the relationship"?

You can use alternatives like "end the relationship", "terminate the relationship", or "sever the ties", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to say "break up the relationship" or "break the relationship"?

"Break up the relationship" typically refers to romantic relationships and is more informal. "Break the relationship" is more general and can apply to various types of connections, including business and familial.

How do you use "break the relationship" in a sentence?

You can use "break the relationship" in a sentence like this: "After careful consideration, they decided to break the relationship due to irreconcilable differences." Or: "The company had to break the relationship with its supplier due to unethical practices."