breaking news

USAGE SUMMARY

"breaking news" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe information or an event that is currently happening or very recently happened. For example: "Breaking news: The President has announced a national state of emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

3.11pm BST Breaking news... breaking news... Breaking news.....

The Guardian - Sport

Breaking news is breaking news.

TechCrunch

Sarah Mervosh covers breaking news from New York.

The New York Times

News, especially breaking news.

WikiHow

And it's breaking news".

The New Yorker

That's not breaking news.

University of California, Berkeley

This is hardly breaking news.

The Economist

The breaking news is out.

The New Yorker

Good for breaking news.

The Guardian

This isn't breaking news.

The New York Times - Arts

Includes breaking news.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting "breaking news", prioritize accuracy over speed. Verify information before publishing, even if it means a slight delay.

Common error

Avoid labeling every update as "breaking news". Overuse diminishes its impact and can lead to audience fatigue. Reserve it for truly significant and immediate developments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaking news" functions primarily as a noun adjunct, modifying another noun (often understood, such as "report" or "alert") to indicate the timeliness and significance of the information. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breaking news" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to denote information that is new, urgent, and significant. It functions primarily to capture attention and convey importance, typically within the context of news and media. While the phrase is widely accepted, it should be used judiciously to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "news flash" or "latest updates" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. As Ludwig AI confirms, and the expert rating highlights, "breaking news" is a well-established term, but its overuse can diminish its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

news flash

Similar in meaning but often used to highlight a single, important piece of news.

latest updates

Focuses on the continuous flow of information rather than a single announcement.

developing story

Emphasizes that the news is still unfolding and subject to change.

urgent news

Highlights the time-sensitive and critical nature of the information.

news bulletin

A formal announcement of recent news, typically concise and factual.

hot off the press

An idiomatic expression indicating very recent news.

newly reported information

A more formal way of referring to recently released news.

current events

Broader term that encompasses a range of happenings.

headlines

Refers to the most important or noteworthy news stories.

the latest

Informal way to refer to current news or updates.

FAQs

How is "breaking news" typically used in a sentence?

"Breaking news" is generally used to introduce or describe a piece of information that has just been revealed or is actively developing. For instance, "Breaking news: A major earthquake has struck the region."

What are some alternatives to saying "breaking news"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "news flash", "latest updates", or "developing story" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "breaking news" for minor updates?

No, "breaking news" should be reserved for significant and urgent information. Using it for minor updates can diminish its impact and credibility.

What is the difference between "breaking news" and "the news"?

"The news" refers to general current events, whereas "breaking news" refers to news that is currently unfolding or has just been announced, implying a sense of urgency and immediacy.