breaking rules

USAGE SUMMARY

"breaking rules" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone disregarding an existing law or policy. For example, "The store manager was fired for breaking rules set by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He denied breaking rules.

The Guardian

Peter never worried about Adam's breaking rules of any kind.

The New Yorker

From the start, Uber's business was predicated on breaking rules.

The New Yorker

Eleanor Roosevelt, of course, knew something about breaking rules.

The New York Times - Books

Now the show is breaking rules on the selling front.

The New York Times

(Picture book; ages 3 to 5) Children enjoy making rules; children enjoy breaking rules.

The New York Times - Books

Among elbows, technical fouls and paying fines for breaking rules, he found time to party.

The New York Times - Sports

In Finland and Denmark, breaking rules on photography and intrusive reporting can lead to prison.

The Economist

By his own behavior, Bonds acted as if he knew he was breaking rules.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

According to modern NFL tie-breaking rules, the 1920 Buffalo All-Americans would be co-champions.

Wikipedia

Some chess fans complained about the cumbersome tie-breaking rules of the Grand Chess Tour.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "breaking rules", consider the context and severity of the infraction. Use stronger synonyms like "violating" or "defying" for more serious breaches, and softer terms like "bending" or "stretching" for minor infractions.

Common error

Avoid using "breaking rules" as a blanket term. Specify which rules are being broken and the consequences of those actions for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaking rules" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing actions that contravene established norms or regulations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breaking rules" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of violating established guidelines, regulations, or norms. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for describing someone disregarding existing laws or policies. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to academic and informal settings. While generally neutral, the specific connotation can shift based on the severity of the infraction and the surrounding language. Alternatives such as ""violating regulations"" or ""defying authority"" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts, each with slightly different implications. Remember to be specific about which rules are broken to maintain clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breaching regulations

Highlights a violation of established rules and regulations, often in a formal or legal context.

violating regulations

Focuses on the act of contravening specific, often legally binding, regulations.

disobeying orders

Highlights the failure to comply with explicit instructions or commands.

disregarding policies

Focuses on ignoring or paying no attention to established policies or procedures.

defying authority

Emphasizes the act of challenging or resisting those in positions of power or control.

transgressing norms

Indicates exceeding or violating accepted standards of behavior.

contravening protocol

Signifies acting against established procedures or etiquette.

flouting conventions

Suggests a disregard for established social norms or customs.

infringing upon guidelines

Refers to stepping over boundaries set by specific guidelines.

bending the rules

Implies a less severe infraction, where the rules are stretched but not entirely broken.

FAQs

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

You can use "breaking rules" to describe actions that violate established guidelines. For example, "The company faced penalties for "violating regulations"." or "His success came from "defying authority" and challenging conventional wisdom."

What are some alternatives to "breaking rules"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "violating regulations", "defying authority", "disobeying orders", or "flouting conventions".

Is "breaking rules" formal or informal?

"Breaking rules" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the formality can shift based on the specific rules being broken and the consequences involved. More formal alternatives may include "breaching regulations".

What's the difference between "breaking rules" and "bending the rules"?

"Breaking rules" implies a direct violation of established guidelines, while "bending the rules" suggests a more lenient interpretation or slight deviation, without completely disregarding the rules.