break with convention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break with convention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of departing from traditional practices or norms in various contexts, such as art, literature, or social behavior. Example: "The artist decided to break with convention by using unconventional materials in her latest installation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

He decided to break with convention.

The New York Times - Tech

So how did this break with convention come about?

The Guardian

In Britain, there is always a hunger for new ideas that break with convention".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"In Britain there is always a hunger for new ideas that break with convention," added Bailey.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The reasons for such a break with convention are viewed in two lights.

The New York Times - Science

At this point, more than any team in the N.F.L., the Jets were ready to break with convention.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

In a subsequent interview, Noonan noted that some of Trump's other comments ― like saying he would "take out" the families of terrorists ― would demonstrate a willingness to break with conventions about the proper use of nuclear weapons.

Huffington Post

She figured that, since order promotes conventional values, maybe disorder promotes breaking with convention -- the essence of creativity.

Huffington Post

The committee broke with convention and honored both candidates.

The New York Times

Watanabe broke with convention and did not give global sales or production targets for 2009.

The Guardian - Business

One of them, however, recently broke with convention by acknowledging it openly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break with convention", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific convention is being challenged or abandoned for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "break with convention" in highly formal or technical writing where a more precise term like "deviate from protocol" or "depart from established procedure" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break with convention" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action of departing from established norms or traditional practices. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe intentional departures from customary behaviors, methods, or standards.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break with convention" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a departure from established norms or traditional practices. Analysis of the examples in Ludwig AI, demonstrates its prevalent use in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academia contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, careful attention should be paid to the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended level of formality. Alternatives like "defy tradition" or "challenge the norm" may provide nuanced options for expressing similar ideas. Overall, "break with convention" serves as a versatile phrase for highlighting actions that deviate from the expected or established patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenge the norm

Highlights questioning and potentially changing established standards.

deviate from the standard

Highlights a departure from a common or expected pattern.

defy tradition

Emphasizes a direct opposition to established traditions.

disrupt established patterns

Indicates significantly altering or interrupting typical practices.

reject the status quo

Suggests a complete dismissal of the current state of affairs.

rebel against conformity

Emphasizes active resistance to societal expectations.

abandon traditional methods

Focuses on the act of leaving behind conventional approaches.

innovate beyond precedent

Highlights creating new and novel ideas beyond conventional methods.

transgress established boundaries

Indicates going beyond accepted limits or rules.

pioneer a new path

Suggests creating a new and innovative approach.

FAQs

How can I use "break with convention" in a sentence?

You can use "break with convention" to describe actions that depart from established norms or practices. For instance, "The artist decided to break with convention by using unconventional materials."

What's a good alternative to "break with convention"?

Alternatives include phrases like "defy tradition", "challenge the norm", or "reject the status quo", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "break with convention" or "break from convention"?

"Break with convention" is the more common and idiomatic phrasing. "Break from convention" is less frequently used, though still understandable.

What does it mean to "break with convention" in art?

In art, to "break with convention" means to depart from traditional styles, techniques, or subject matter, often in pursuit of innovation or self-expression.