breakdown of love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breakdown of love" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the disintegration or failure of a romantic relationship or emotional connection. Example: "The breakdown of love between them was evident in their constant arguments and lack of communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Given Poliça's two albums to date – close siblings separated by a mere 18-month gap – are all about the breakdown of love and a woman finding herself again, it's a fitting coda to the songs that have come before.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Apparently throwing plastic pint glasses of urine was back, and looked to have more life in it than than Ian Brown's questionable attempt at a rap during the breakdown of Love Spreads.

The Guardian - Music

In the second act, the play actually seems to take seriously the sort of pillow-tossing nervous breakdowns and confessions of love and treason that Lana Turner devoted her later career to.

The New York Times

Then, gradually, the circle is broken — the dancers form alliances, one pair against the other — and this signals the coming breakdown of faith and love.

The New Yorker

Then, gradually, the circle is broken the dancers form alliances, one pair against the other and this signals the coming breakdown of faith and love.

The New Yorker

The chemistry was there and the situation was very relatable too, as so many of us have experienced a breakdown of a great love.

Huffington Post

And her timely analysis of the psychological underpinnings of Trump when he won the Republican nomination has now become essential reading if we are to understand why "this neo-fascist upsurge is a classic consequence of the breakdown of the bonds of love, strength, and intelligence that hold a society together and why rebuilding these bonds is critical to our survival".

Huffington Post

Shaheem Reid of MTV News commented that Knowles "stepped in the name of love" during the breakdown of the song.

Wikipedia

In an attempt to unpick the various facets of the word, London's Southbank Centre is hosting a summer-long Festival of Love exploring its many different nuances – from romantic love and the breakdown of relationships, to the harmony (or discord) between nations and the concept of memorials.

BBC

The themes (love, the breakdown of relationships, the passing of time) may be familiar but the music is often experimental.

The Guardian - Music

I'd love a breakdown of the first OKGO viral video, for Here it Goes Again, and the already mentioned Invisible, by U2.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "breakdown of love", consider the specific context to determine if a more nuanced phrase, such as "erosion of love" or "failure of love", might be more appropriate to convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "breakdown of love" in situations where the emotional impact is relatively minor or fleeting. The phrase carries a heavy connotation of significant relationship damage or emotional distress, and can sound melodramatic if the context doesn't warrant it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breakdown of love" functions as a noun phrase describing the process or state of a loving relationship disintegrating. It is often used to convey a sense of loss or emotional distress, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples of the phrase appearing in musical or relationship contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breakdown of love" describes the deterioration or failure of a loving relationship. As Ludwig explains, it's grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts, although it's most commonly found in news and media, where it often describes the themes of songs, movies, or personal experiences related to relationship failures. While "breakdown of love" is generally acceptable, considering alternatives like "end of love" or "failure of love" can provide a more nuanced meaning depending on the context. It's advisable to avoid overuse in trivial cases to prevent sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end of love

Focuses on the cessation or termination of love, rather than its internal disintegration.

failure of love

Emphasizes the unsuccessful or flawed nature of love in a relationship or situation.

dissolution of love

Suggests a more formal or gradual disintegration of the bonds of love.

erosion of love

Implies a gradual wearing away or weakening of loving feelings or connections.

collapse of love

Indicates a sudden and dramatic failure or termination of love.

waning of love

Describes a gradual decrease in the intensity or strength of love.

decline of love

Similar to waning, but may suggest a more irreversible or significant reduction.

deterioration of love

Highlights the progressive decay or worsening of loving relationships or feelings.

rupture of love

Emphasizes a sudden break or fracture in a loving relationship or connection.

absence of love

Focuses on the lack or non-existence of love, rather than its deterioration.

FAQs

How can I use "breakdown of love" in a sentence?

You can use "breakdown of love" to describe the end of a relationship or the deterioration of feelings. For example: "The musician wrote many songs about the "breakdown of love" in his past relationships."

What are some alternatives to "breakdown of love"?

Some alternatives include "end of love", "failure of love", or "dissolution of love", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "breakdown of love" formal or informal?

"Breakdown of love" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options like "dissolution of love" might be preferred in certain situations.

What does "breakdown of love" imply?

"Breakdown of love" suggests a significant deterioration or failure in a romantic relationship or emotional bond, often involving distress and disappointment.