breaking records

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breaking records" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to surpassing previous achievements or milestones, often in contexts like sports, sales, or personal accomplishments. Example: "The athlete is breaking records this season, setting new personal bests in every competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stockmarkets are breaking records.

The Economist

He's breaking records.

The New York Times - Sports

Today they are breaking records.

The New York Times

Track stars keep breaking records.

The New York Times

It's not about breaking records any more.

The New York Times

Bibhuti has been breaking records since 1998.

The Guardian

The stock market keeps breaking records.

The Washington Post

Why are West End shows breaking records?

The Times

For Izzard, it's about breaking borders, and breaking records.

Independent

And it's not just the Arctic that is breaking records.

Independent

When Gatlin tested positive, he was 24 and breaking records.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "breaking records" to highlight notable achievements that surpass previous standards. It is especially effective when emphasizing progress and setting new benchmarks in fields like sports, business, or science.

Common error

Avoid using "breaking records" to describe ordinary accomplishments. Reserve it for truly exceptional achievements to maintain its impact. Describing everyday successes as record-breaking dilutes the phrase's significance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "breaking records" is a verb phrase acting as a predicate, often used to describe an action of surpassing previous achievements. Ludwig AI confirms this through various examples, showcasing its role in conveying notable accomplishments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "breaking records" is a widely used and grammatically correct way to describe surpassing previous achievements or setting new milestones. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's commonly found in news and media, but also applicable in formal and informal settings. To ensure effective communication, reserve this phrase for truly exceptional accomplishments and consider using alternatives like "setting new records" or "shattering records" for variety. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use "breaking records" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

setting new records

Focuses on the act of establishing new benchmarks rather than surpassing existing ones, shifting the emphasis to creation rather than competition.

surpassing previous records

Highlights the act of exceeding what was previously achieved, emphasizing the comparative aspect of the accomplishment.

shattering records

Conveys a more emphatic and dramatic sense of exceeding records, suggesting a significant margin of victory or achievement.

smashing records

Similar to "shattering records", this term implies a forceful and impressive surpassing of existing records, adding a dimension of impact.

rewriting the record books

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the achievement, suggesting a fundamental change in the established historical data.

establishing a new benchmark

Highlights the setting of a new standard of performance, focusing on the creation of a reference point for future achievements.

achieving unprecedented results

Shifts the focus to the novelty and uniqueness of the results obtained, emphasizing that they have not been seen before.

outperforming all expectations

Highlights the exceeding of anticipated outcomes, emphasizing the surprise and magnitude of the accomplishment relative to predictions.

setting the pace

Focuses on leading and establishing a high standard for others to follow, emphasizing the act of pioneering and demonstrating superior performance.

topping the charts

Specifically relates to achievements in rankings or lists, indicating the highest position or performance in a particular category.

FAQs

How can I use "breaking records" in a sentence?

You can use "breaking records" to describe surpassing previous achievements. For example, "The athlete is breaking records this season" or "The company is breaking records in sales".

What can I say instead of "breaking records"?

You can use alternatives like "setting new records", "surpassing previous records", or "shattering records" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "breaking a record" or "breaking records"?

Both phrases are correct, but "breaking records" is generally used when referring to multiple instances or a continuous trend of surpassing previous achievements. "Breaking a record" is suitable when referring to a single, specific instance.

What's the difference between "breaking records" and "setting records"?

"Breaking records" implies surpassing existing records, while "setting records" simply means establishing new ones, regardless of whether previous records were broken. You can set a record without breaking one if it's a new category or if no previous record existed.