broke the record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broke the record" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to surpassing a previous achievement or standard, often in the context of sports or competitions. Example: "She broke the record for the fastest marathon time, finishing in just under two hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Before the Netherlands' students broke the record, people built the bikes in their back sheds.

BBC

"It broke the record".

The New York Times

Jay Fiedler later broke the record.

The New York Times - Sports

Harrell broke the record set by Colt Brennan in 2007.

The New York Times - Sports

McGwire broke the record; Sosa will probably own the record.

The New York Times - Sports

McGwire played by baseball's rules when he broke the record.

The New York Times - Sports

He broke the record while playing your team that December.

The New Yorker

"When he broke the record, I called him," Mays said.

The New York Times - Sports

The Class of 1978 broke the record for 40th Reunion attendance, with 326 classmates.

Cornell University

His score of 148 broke the record he had set in 2008.

The New York Times

Newton, in turn, broke the record set in 2007 by Florida QB Tim Tebow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broke the record" when the action involved surpassing a specific, measurable achievement or standard.

Common error

Avoid using "broke the record" metaphorically when there isn't an actual, established record. For example, it would be incorrect to say "He broke the record for being late" unless lateness was formally tracked and recorded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broke the record" typically functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. It indicates the action of surpassing a previously established high mark or standard, often related to achievements. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broke the record" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe surpassing a previous achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's frequently found in news, academic, and general contexts. To enhance clarity, it is better to specify the type of record that has been surpassed in a given situation. Alternatives include phrases like "set a new record" or "surpassed the record". Avoiding the use of the phrase when there is no established record is also best practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set a new record

This alternative focuses on the establishment of a new benchmark, rather than the breaking of an old one.

surpassed the record

This implies exceeding or going beyond the previous record, emphasizing the act of outperforming.

exceeded the previous best

This alternative highlights the act of surpassing a former top performance or standard.

outstripped the mark

This alternative uses a more vivid and less common term, "outstripped", to convey surpassing the previous benchmark.

bettered the existing standard

This suggests improving upon a pre-existing level of quality or performance.

rewrote the record books

A more figurative way of saying the record was broken, implying the need to update official records.

smashed the existing record

Emphasizes the totality with which the existing record was broken and how distant the last record is now.

eclipsed the high score

This alternative means someone exceeded another's accomplishment but in a less aggressive manner.

topped the charts

This alternative typically applies to achievements in the music or sales industry, indicating reaching the highest position.

surmounted the top mark

The term 'surmounted' suggests overcoming an obstacle, implying effort in achieving the record.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "broke the record"?

You can use alternatives like "set a new record", "surpassed the record", or "exceeded the previous best" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what record was "broke the record"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the record adds clarity and avoids ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying "She broke the record", it's better to say "She broke the record for the 100-meter sprint".

Can "broke the record" be used in contexts other than sports?

Yes, "broke the record" can be used in various contexts where a quantifiable achievement is surpassed, such as sales figures, attendance numbers, or scientific measurements. For example, "The company broke the record for quarterly revenue".

What is the difference between "broke the record" and "set a new record"?

"Broke the record" implies surpassing an existing record, while "set a new record" simply means establishing a new high mark, which may or may not have surpassed a previous one. Setting a new record is more appropriate if there wasn't any record before.