breaking free from

USAGE SUMMARY

"breaking free from" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a person or situation overcoming obstacles or breaking out of a restrictive environment. Example: After years of struggling, Maria finally found the courage to break free from her toxic relationship and start a new life on her own.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's like breaking free from prison," says another.

The Guardian

In what way does this project exemplify "breaking free" from traditional approaches to mosquito control?

The New York Times

But breaking free from the yoke of the gleefully promiscuous Samantha has been particularly difficult.

The Guardian

Slowly the piano emerges, as if breaking free from the overpowering orchestra.

The New York Times

Mr. Douglas is not the only artist breaking free from the constraints of linear narrative.

The New York Times - Arts

The big question is whether they will take advantage of this, while breaking free from their keiretsu shackles.

The Economist

After breaking free from its tow-boat in high seas, it sank to the sea bottom, just 20 metres down.

The Economist

On a positive note for the Mets, Davis appears to be breaking free from his season-long slump.

The New York Times - Sports

The musical ends with Lee enjoying her stardom, and breaking free from her mother - something the real Lee never managed.

The Guardian

I ended the decade with a court case, breaking free from the unfair contract I had signed.

The Guardian - Books

Specially printed Front National Brexit posters showed hands breaking free from chains, with the caption "Now it's France's turn".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs if you want to increase intensity (e.g., 'shattering', 'eradicating').

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "breaking free from" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "escaping the clutches of" or "liberating oneself from" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaking free from" functions primarily as a verb phrase often acting as part of a larger predicate. It describes the action of escaping or liberating oneself from something, as seen in Ludwig examples showing individuals "breaking free from" oppressive situations, contracts, or even physical restraints.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

18%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breaking free from" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of escaping or liberating oneself from constraints. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it carries a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When employing "breaking free from", ensure clarity by specifying what is being escaped, and avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms like "liberating oneself from" for enhanced writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

liberating oneself from

Implies a deliberate act of freeing oneself, differing in focus from a general state of freedom.

emancipating oneself from

A more formal term for setting oneself free, often used in discussions of social or political freedom.

releasing oneself from

Emphasizes the act of letting go of something that binds, whether physical or metaphorical.

extricating oneself from

Suggests a difficult or complicated extraction, implying a struggle not necessarily present in "breaking free".

overcoming the constraints of

Highlights the surmounting of limitations, focusing on the overcoming aspect rather than the freedom achieved.

shaking off the bonds of

Implies a forceful rejection of constraints, more emphatic than "breaking free".

escaping the clutches of

Conveys a sense of danger or oppression being escaped, which is a more intense connotation than simply "breaking free".

getting away from

A more general and less formal way to express leaving a situation; lacks the intensity of "breaking free".

rising above

Focuses on surpassing limitations or negative circumstances, differing from the direct action of breaking free.

leaving behind

Indicates abandoning something, which might not necessarily involve a struggle or constraint.

FAQs

How can I use "breaking free from" in a sentence?

You can use "breaking free from" to describe escaping a literal or figurative constraint. For instance, "She succeeded in "breaking free from" her oppressive work environment" or "The country is "breaking free from" its colonial past."

What are some alternatives to "breaking free from"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "liberating oneself from", "escaping the clutches of", or "extricating oneself from".

Is "breaking free from" formal or informal?

"Breaking free from" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "breaking free from" and "getting away from"?

"Breaking free from" implies a deliberate act of escaping a constraint or oppressive situation, while "getting away from" is a more general term for simply leaving a place or situation, without necessarily implying a struggle or constraint.