breakable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breakable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object that can be broken or damaged easily. Example: "Please handle the breakable items with care during the move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Why not leave just a breakable promise?) Did he really offer to sell off housing association homes cheap to their tenants?

The Guardian - Opinion

But a system that has been made just weak enough might be breakable by the spies, with their basements full of supercomputers, while staying beyond the reach of anyone else: crooks, hackers and the like.A flaw in this approach is that computers get faster.

The Economist

This is an important problem, because much of modern cryptography is based on the difficulty of factorising large numbers—so being able to do so quickly would render many modern codes easily breakable.

The Economist

Separatists and their Pakistani patrons insist on "tripartite" talks, including Kashmiris, India and Pakistan.The stalemate could be breakable.

The Economist

It was expelled by a pumplike device similar to a 19th-century hand-pumped fire engine, and it may also have been thrown from catapults in breakable containers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

How to play Find a corridor in your halls of residence that is empty, and free of any breakable objects.

Independent

The reactor walls are quite fragile, he notes: "If the walls are too rigid, they can crack under the slightest pressure from inside so they have to be breakable because if the pressure is kept inside... it can damage the equipment inside so it needs to be allowed to escape.

Independent

In the above video from the BBC, showrunner Steven Moffat also suggests the Doctor may be after a companion less "breakable" than Clara.

Independent

If Murdoch and his minions still yearn to sink resources into the creative word, they may be much less breakable than many of their foes would hope.

Independent

When you're as  clumsy as I am, just standing still in a room that's littered with breakable or losable things is likely to bring you out in a sweat.

Independent

We had to remove a number of breakable glass candleholders out of reach of our toddler and conduct some serious lessons about what's hot and what's not with regards to the stove, but overall it was pretty child-friendly and they provided a travel cot for us.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional states, consider using "breakable" to convey vulnerability or fragility. For example, "a breakable heart" emphasizes emotional sensitivity.

Common error

While "breakable" is widely understood, avoid overuse in formal or scientific writing. Opt for synonyms like "fragile" or "easily damaged" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "breakable" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their susceptibility to being broken. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where "breakable" modifies words like "objects", "containers", and "hearts".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "breakable" functions primarily as an adjective denoting susceptibility to being broken. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While generally neutral in register, formal writing may benefit from synonyms like "fragile". "Breakable" is used to warn, inform, or describe the physical or emotional vulnerability, as seen in examples ranging from "breakable objects" to "breakable hearts". Avoid overuse in formal contexts and consider nuanced alternatives like "delicate" or "easily damaged" to maintain clarity and precision. The presence of the phrase in numerous authoritative sources underlines its common and acceptable use in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragile

Focuses on the delicacy of the object and its susceptibility to damage.

easily damaged

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be harmed.

delicate

Highlights the fine and easily broken nature of an item.

vulnerable

Stresses the susceptibility to physical or emotional harm.

frail

Suggests a weakness or lack of robustness.

liable to break

Directly states the probability of breaking.

easily shattered

Specifically refers to the ease of shattering into pieces.

crumbly

Describes something that easily breaks into small pieces.

weak

Indicates a general lack of strength or resistance.

unstable

Implies a lack of firmness and potential for collapse or breakage.

FAQs

How can I use "breakable" in a sentence?

You can use "breakable" to describe objects that are easily damaged, such as "Handle the breakable items with care". It can also describe abstract concepts, such as "a breakable peace".

What is a synonym for "breakable"?

A common synonym for "breakable" is "fragile", which also describes something easily damaged. Other alternatives include "delicate" or "easily shattered" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "breakable"?

Yes, it is correct to say something is "breakable". It is a commonly used adjective to describe objects or concepts that are easily broken or damaged.

What's the difference between "breakable" and "fragile"?

While both words describe something easily damaged, "breakable" tends to refer more directly to the physical property of being able to be broken. "Fragile" can also imply delicacy or preciousness, in addition to being easily broken.