breaking down barriers

USAGE SUMMARY

'breaking down barriers' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to overcoming obstacles or disadvantages that stand in the way of achieving something. For example, "We must continue working to break down barriers to access healthcare for disadvantaged communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Breaking down barriers Niger's Government has been breaking down barriers to health care.

Unicef

"It's great for breaking down barriers.

The Guardian

"It's about breaking down barriers," JR says.

The Guardian - Arts

"Skype has always been about breaking down barriers.

The Guardian - Tech

She dismissed the mayor's comments about breaking down barriers.

The New York Times

Our war is that of breaking down barriers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yes, because workshops are about breaking down barriers.

The Guardian

It's a way of breaking down barriers, and it has cognitive and cultural benefits".

The Guardian

Ohad has a gift for untying knots and breaking down barriers -- anyone's a victim".

The New York Times

So the dog acts as a catalyst in breaking down barriers and opening communication.

The New York Times

Technology is constantly breaking down barriers and is crucial for us.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about social issues, "breaking down barriers" effectively conveys the idea of creating more inclusive and equitable systems.

Common error

Avoid using "breaking down barriers" when the focus is on something that passively enables access, rather than active intervention. Instead of "The new policy is breaking down barriers", which implies it's actively doing something, consider a phrase like "The new policy is improving access" if the policy primarily facilitates rather than actively dismantles obstacles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaking down barriers" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun that describes the action of removing obstacles. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breaking down barriers" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that signifies the active effort to remove obstacles and promote equality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and appropriate for various writing contexts. Predominantly found in news, business, and scientific sources, this phrase conveys a sense of positive change and progress. While alternatives such as "overcoming obstacles" or "eliminating hindrances" exist, "breaking down barriers" specifically highlights the action of dismantling what prevents progress. Use this phrase to emphasize active interventions aimed at creating more inclusive and equitable systems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overcoming obstacles

Focuses more on the act of overcoming, while "breaking down barriers" emphasizes the removal of the obstacle itself.

dismantling obstacles

Similar to 'breaking down', but 'dismantling' can imply a more systematic or structural removal.

eliminating hindrances

"Eliminating hindrances" is more formal and focuses on removing anything that impedes progress.

removing impediments

Similar to eliminating hindrances, but "removing impediments" emphasizes a more formal and often legal or procedural context.

bridging divides

This phrase focuses on connecting or uniting things that were previously separated, rather than removing obstacles.

fostering inclusion

Implies creating an environment where everyone is welcome and can participate, which is a result of breaking down barriers.

promoting equality

This highlights the outcome of removing barriers, focusing on fairness and equal opportunity.

leveling the playing field

This idiom refers to creating fair conditions, especially in competitive situations, by removing advantages some may have.

opening doors

Emphasizes creating opportunities that were previously unavailable.

challenging conventions

This relates to questioning and changing established norms that may act as barriers.

FAQs

How can I use "breaking down barriers" in a sentence?

You can use "breaking down barriers" to describe efforts to eliminate obstacles that prevent access or equality. For example, "The new program aims at "breaking down barriers" to healthcare in rural communities."

What are some alternatives to "breaking down barriers"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "overcoming obstacles", "eliminating hindrances", or "bridging divides" as alternatives to "breaking down barriers".

Is "breaking down barriers" a formal or informal phrase?

"Breaking down barriers" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversations.

Which is more appropriate, "breaking down barriers" or "removing obstacles"?

Both "breaking down barriers" and "removing obstacles" are appropriate, but "breaking down barriers" often implies a more active and transformative effort to dismantle systemic or deeply entrenched obstacles, while "removing obstacles" can refer to simpler, more direct actions.