breaks away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breaks away from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something separates or distances itself from a particular group, idea, or situation. Example: "The artist breaks away from traditional styles to explore new forms of expression."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Kiarostami breaks away from him.

The New Yorker

Sometimes it breaks away from cakes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Nevertheless, few services exist to meet their specific needs for specialist short breaks away from home.

Children and Youth Services Review

Multi-dimensional Optimal Order Detection (MOOD) breaks away from classical limitations employed in high-order methods.

Journal of Computational Physics

1959 The Pan Africanist Congress PACC) breaks away from the ANC.

Independent

The entire spikelet breaks away from the plant as a unit for fruit dispersal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He breaks away from film, too, switching to splotched and muddy video.

The New Yorker

When the majority breaks away from the minority, it expels it, or chucks it out.

The New Yorker

(It's the day the group breaks away from their regular duties for a quick hack job).

The New Yorker

If Flanders breaks away from Belgium, could Brussels, officially bilingual but overwhelmingly Francophone, leave Flanders?

The Economist

May's interest in universities breaks away from that of Cameron and Osborne, and Blair and Brown.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about innovation or progress, use "breaks away from" to highlight how a new idea or product represents a significant advancement over previous approaches.

Common error

Avoid using "breaks away from" when a simple 'different from' would suffice. This phrase indicates a deliberate and sometimes forceful departure, not just a minor variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaks away from" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often followed by a noun or noun phrase. Ludwig indicates it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase signifies the action of separating or diverging from something, indicating a distinct departure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "breaks away from" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies a deliberate departure or separation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable. Its meaning consistently indicates a shift or divergence from established norms or groups. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and academic contexts, highlighting its utility in describing shifts and innovations. While several alternatives exist, such as ""departs from"" and "diverges from", the choice depends on the desired emphasis and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departs from

Indicates a formal deviation or divergence, often implying a conscious decision to move away from something established.

diverges from

Suggests a gradual separation or difference in direction, path, or opinion.

separates from

Implies a physical or abstract division from a larger entity or group.

deviates from

Emphasizes a departure from a standard, norm, or expected course of action.

escapes from

Suggests a movement to freedom from confinement or restriction, either physical or metaphorical.

veers away from

Indicates a sudden change in direction, often implying a reaction to avoid something.

splits off from

Describes a sudden and decisive separation, often leading to the formation of a new entity or faction.

disassociates from

Implies a deliberate attempt to distance oneself from an association or connection, often for strategic reasons.

branches out from

Suggests an expansion or extension of activities, often from a central core or origin.

moves apart from

Indicates a gradual increase in distance or difference, often implying a loss of cohesion or agreement.

FAQs

What does "breaks away from" mean?

The phrase "breaks away from" signifies a deliberate departure or separation from something, such as a tradition, a group, or an established pattern. It implies a significant shift or change in direction.

How can I use "breaks away from" in a sentence?

You can use "breaks away from" to describe someone or something diverging from a norm. For example, "The artist "departs from" traditional styles to explore new forms of expression."

What can I say instead of "breaks away from"?

You can use alternatives like ""departs from"", "diverges from", or "separates from" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "breaks away from" or "breaks from"?

"Breaks from" is a more concise alternative to "breaks away from", but the addition of "away" emphasizes the act of distancing oneself. Both are grammatically correct, but their usage depends on the desired nuance.