breaks it by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breaks it by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of causing something to break or fail through a specific means or method. Example: "The constant pressure from the team breaks it by overwhelming the system's capacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I hope he breaks it by 17".

Independent

Just when the narrative tension is beginning to mount, the author breaks it by involving Korolev in a fistfight that has nothing to do with the story per se and puts the hero out of commission just when he's needed most.

The New York Times

With reference to the silence of our legislators with regard to the behavior of State Senator Louis DeLuca, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor threat charge, let's hope the Democratic Party breaks it by presenting a candidate for the position, should Mr. DeLuca seek re-election.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"But breaking it by six feet?

The New York Times

And he broke it by a whopping 99 yards.

The New York Times

During one of those occasional intervals of almost complete silence a lady broke it by saying,….

The New Yorker

You cannot even break it by accident with a practice swing.

The New York Times - Sports

She tied it by hitting a shot on Baylor's first possession and broke it by sinking a free throw.

The New York Times

We can choose to perpetuate the cycle of hater and victim and hater, or to break it by building museums, or sometimes, by not talking about it.

The New York Times

The point is that he broke the glass by mistake, and the cork broke it by a miracle, and that broken glass is broken glass, Narrator goes once a week to read to a blind man.

The New Yorker

It is based on an analysis of power in a dictatorship and how to break it by withdrawing the obedience of citizens and the key institutions of society".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "breaks it by", ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, and specify the amount or manner by which something is broken or exceeded. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

A common mistake is using "breaks it by" in situations where 'it' is ambiguous. Always ensure that 'it' has a clear and immediate referent to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "breaks it by" is a verb phrase acting as a predicate, describing how an action (breaking) is performed with a specific result. Ludwig shows the phrase is often used to indicate surpassing a record or limit.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "breaks it by" is grammatically sound, though not very common, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. It effectively conveys exceeding a certain limit or record, as noted by Ludwig. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by defining 'it' and specifying the extent of the breaking or exceeding. While Ludwig confirms its usability, more formal contexts might benefit from more precise alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpasses it by

Focuses on exceeding a certain limit or quantity. This highlights surpassing a particular benchmark.

exceeds it by

Similar to surpasses, but emphasizes the extent of going over a certain value.

outstrips it by

Suggests exceeding something to a significant degree, implying superiority or greater impact.

interrupts it with

Focuses on the action of interrupting a silence or sequence. Highlights the intervention.

disrupts it through

Emphasizes the disruptive nature of the action, indicating a disturbance or breakdown. Signifies a forceful interruption.

smashes it with

Emphasizes destruction to accomplish breaking

obliterates it through

Emphasizes complete destruction to accomplish breaking

shatters it using

Highlights the destruction to accomplish breaking

fractures it by means of

Focuses on how the integrity is compromised by using a certain method

splits it via

Stresses the action of dividing or separating something using a means.

FAQs

What does "breaks it by" mean?

The phrase "breaks it by" means to surpass or exceed a certain limit or record by a specified amount or method. It implies that something has been overcome or interrupted.

How can I use "breaks it by" in a sentence?

You can use "breaks it by" to describe how a record was exceeded, such as: "She "surpasses it by" a significant margin."

What are some alternatives to "breaks it by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "exceeds it by", "interrupts it with", or "disrupts it through", depending on the intended meaning.

Is "breaks it by" formal or informal?

"Breaks it by" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from more precise language.