break the trend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break the trend" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of disrupting/deviating from an established pattern, style, or custom. For example: "We should break the trend of outdated communication methods and look into new technologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The new lawsuit, aimed not at government officials but the contractors Mitchell and Jessen, aims to break the trend.

The Guardian

Ranieri accepted that his club will rarely get a better opportunity than this to break the trend.

The Guardian - Sport

Will the SFO break the trend of decades by fully investigating the allegations and, if appropriate, charge the corporate entity and the individuals responsible?

The Guardian - Opinion

But with prices for oil and other exports slumping, the region has shifted to the right, and many leftists saw the mild-mannered Moreno as their best chance to break the trend.

The Washington Post

Making the tax system progressive enough to break the trend toward ever greater income inequality has also been beyond our grasp, yet it may be the best option we have.

The New York Times

Small titles with lofty ambitions to break the trend have come and gone in Britain, but The White Review, a sumptuous, cream-colored journal that mixes interviews, essays, fiction and artwork by up-and-coming writers and artists, might just contain the youthful wherewithal to stick it out.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This recession dramatically broke the trend.

The New Yorker

Back in Britain, London breaks the trend a bit.

The Economist

But Bey seems to have broken the trend with the Timbaland-produced girl power anthem.

Independent

But the Yankees would have made it much easier on themselves if they had broken the trend tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

However his try was also cancelled out by an Ashley Taylor try five minutes later, before Don broke the trend with the game-winner not long after.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break the trend" when you want to emphasize a deliberate effort to change a prevailing pattern or tendency. For example, in business, it might refer to reversing a negative sales trend through innovative strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "break the trend" to describe situations that are inherently static or lack a historical pattern. For example, don't say "We need to break the trend of this being the first meeting" because a single, initial event doesn't constitute a trend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the trend" functions as a verb phrase, where "break" is the verb indicating the action of disrupting, and "the trend" is the noun phrase representing the established pattern or direction. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "break the trend" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that signifies disrupting or changing an existing pattern or tendency. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show its prevalence in news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's best used to describe deliberate efforts to alter a prevailing pattern and should be avoided in static contexts. Related phrases like ""reverse the trend"" or ""disrupt the pattern"" offer nuanced alternatives. When aiming for clarity and impact, consider the specific context and the desired emphasis when employing "break the trend".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reverse the trend

Focuses on changing the direction of the trend to the opposite.

disrupt the pattern

Emphasizes the interruption or disturbance of an existing pattern.

defy the norm

Highlights the act of going against what is considered standard or typical.

challenge the status quo

Focuses on questioning and opposing the current state of affairs.

buck the system

Implies resisting or rebelling against an established system or set of rules.

change course

Suggests altering the direction or strategy being followed.

deviate from the standard

Emphasizes moving away from the accepted or usual standard.

go against the grain

Implies acting contrary to the prevailing inclination or feeling.

shake things up

Suggests making significant changes to create excitement or improvement.

pivot

Refers to making a fundamental shift or change in strategy or approach.

FAQs

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

You can use "break the trend" to describe efforts to change an established pattern. For instance, "The company implemented new policies to "reverse the trend" of declining sales."

What's a good alternative to "break the trend"?

A good alternative is to "reverse the trend", which focuses on changing the direction of an existing pattern. Another option is to "disrupt the pattern", emphasizing the interruption of an existing sequence.

Is it better to say "break the trend" or "reverse the trend"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""reverse the trend"" specifically implies changing the direction of something, while "break the trend" is more general and suggests any kind of disruption or departure from an established pattern.

When is it appropriate to use "break the trend" in writing?

Use "break the trend" when you want to highlight a conscious effort to change or deviate from a recognized pattern. It works well in business, science, or social commentary to emphasize innovation or change. Do not use "break the trend" to describe situations that are inherently static or lack a historical pattern.