breaks rule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breaks rule" is not correct in standard English; it should be "breaks the rule" or "breaks rules." You can use it when discussing a situation where someone does not follow a specific guideline or regulation.
Example: "His actions clearly break the rule regarding safety protocols in the workplace."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In one of the book's earliest sex scenes, she visits Paul, a mutual friend of her and Mansfield at his home (and breaks rule number three).

Independent

West, working second base, notified Valentine before the game that Komiyama's windup breaks Rule 8.01, which requires a pitcher to have a continuous motion going to the plate.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a machine designed to thrill, please and satisfy; a one-sentence pitch – 911 responder breaks rule No 1, and gets emotionally involved – deftly realised, manipulative and clever enough to be irresistible.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Great writing breaks rules.

Independent

She breaks rules.

The Guardian - Film

breaks rules.

WikiHow

The lead detective, Louis Scarcella, broke rule after rule.

The New York Times

We also propose a domain-specific tie breaking rule.

Artificial Intelligence

That is breaking rule 10.

WikiHow

"People break rules because they break rules".

The New York Times

He broke rules.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like "violate", "contravene", or "disregard" to convey a more precise meaning than "breaks".

Common error

Avoid using "breaks rule" without the article "the" or pluralizing "rule." This often leads to grammatically incorrect sentences. Always clarify whether you're referring to a specific rule or rules in general.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaks rule" functions as a verb phrase where "breaks" is the verb and "rule" is the direct object. However, it is grammatically incomplete without an article or pluralization. Ludwig indicates that this phrasing deviates from standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "breaks rule" appears in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "breaks the rule" (singular, specific) or "breaks rules" (plural, general). Ludwig flags this phrase as non-standard English, suggesting that writers opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "violates the rule" or "disregards the guidelines". Although it appears in news media and wikis, aiming for grammatical accuracy enhances clarity and credibility, particularly in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Violates the rule

Emphasizes a direct contravention of a specific regulation.

Contravenes the regulation

Highlights a formal opposition to a specific rule or law.

Disregards the guideline

Suggests a deliberate ignoring of established recommendations.

Flouts the convention

Implies an open and defiant disregard for accepted norms.

Transgresses the law

Denotes a serious violation of a legal code.

Infringes upon the standard

Suggests a subtle encroachment or violation of a set benchmark.

Deviates from protocol

Indicates a departure from prescribed procedures.

Breaches the agreement

Implies a violation of a contract or understanding.

Oversteps the boundary

Suggests exceeding acceptable limits or constraints.

Bends the rules

Implies a less severe violation, suggesting manipulation within the rules' framework.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "breaks rule"?

No, the grammatically correct forms are "breaks the rule" (singular, for a specific rule) or "breaks rules" (plural, for rules in general). The phrase "breaks rule" is missing the article or pluralization.

What's the difference between "breaks the rule" and "breaks rules"?

"Breaks the rule" refers to violating a specific, singular rule. For example, "He breaks the rule about no cell phones in class." "Breaks rules" refers to violating multiple rules or rules in general. For example, "The student breaks rules constantly".

What are some alternatives to "breaks the rule"?

You can use phrases like "violates the rule", "contravenes the regulation", or "disregards the guideline" to express a similar meaning with more precision.

In what contexts might I see the phrase "breaks rule", even though it's grammatically incorrect?

You might encounter "breaks rule" in informal writing, headlines (where brevity is prioritized), or in non-native English usage. However, it's best to avoid this phrasing in formal or academic writing.