breakdown by

USAGE SUMMARY

"breakdown by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to separate a larger group into smaller, more manageable sub-groups, usually based on certain criteria. For example: "The professor asked the students to do a breakdown by gender in the survey data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BREAKDOWN, by Sara Paretsky.

The New York Times

BREAKDOWN, by Sara Paretsky (Putnam, $26.95).

The New York Times - Books

5 1 BREAKDOWN, by Bill Gertz.

The New York Times - Books

Saudi authorities have also not provided a breakdown by nationality.

The Guardian

BREAKDOWN, by Bill Bozzone; directed by Keno Rider.

The New York Times

The opening play, "Breakdown" by Bill Bozzone, seems like filler.

The New York Times

Below is the breakdown by (rather peculiar) genres.

The Guardian - Books

"It's not a huge breakdown by them," Shanahan said.

The New York Times - Sports

No breakdown by individual prison has yet been made.

The Guardian

There is no breakdown by ethnicity in the YouGov poll.

The Guardian

(The regional breakdown by country can be found here).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting data, clearly state the criteria used for the "breakdown by" to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, "a breakdown by age group" is more specific than simply "a breakdown."

Common error

Avoid using vague or inconsistent criteria in your "breakdown by". Ensure that the categories are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive to prevent overlapping or missing data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breakdown by" functions as a prepositional phrase used to specify the criteria for categorizing or dividing data. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in various contexts, confirming its role in providing detailed classifications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breakdown by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to categorize and dissect information according to specified criteria. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, this phrase provides clarity and structure when analyzing data. When writing, ensure that the criteria for the "breakdown by" are well-defined to avoid ambiguity and maintain consistency. Alternatives such as "analysis according to" and "categorization based on" offer similar meanings but may vary in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grouping by

Focuses on combining items into groups based on shared characteristics.

analysis according to

Emphasizes the analytical aspect and specifies the criteria used for the analysis.

division by

Focuses on the act of separating something into distinct parts based on specific attributes.

categorization based on

Highlights the act of organizing information into distinct groups according to defined criteria.

classification by

Stresses the systematic arrangement of items into classes or groups based on predefined rules.

segmentation by

Focuses on dividing a larger group into smaller segments based on shared characteristics.

distribution according to

Highlights how something is spread or allocated based on certain parameters.

differentiation by

Highlights the act of distinguishing between items or groups based on their unique features.

stratification by

Emphasizes the arrangement of data into layers or levels based on specific criteria.

tabulation according to

Emphasizes the organization of data into tables based on specific criteria.

FAQs

How do I use "breakdown by" in a sentence?

Use "breakdown by" to specify the criteria used to categorize information. For example, "Here's a breakdown by country" or "The report includes a breakdown by age and gender."

What can I say instead of "breakdown by"?

You can use alternatives like "analysis according to", "categorization based on", or "segmentation by" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "breakdown by" in formal writing?

"Breakdown by" is suitable for formal writing when presenting data or information in a categorized format. Ensure that the criteria for the breakdown are clearly defined and relevant to the analysis.

What's the difference between "breakdown by" and "analysis by"?

"Breakdown by" implies a categorization or division of data, while "analysis by" suggests a more in-depth examination of the data based on specific criteria. While they can be used interchangeably in some contexts, "analysis by" often involves interpreting the results, not just categorizing them.