broke up

USAGE SUMMARY

"broke up" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used when talking or writing about the end of a relationship. For example: "The couple broke up after years of dating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His marriage broke up.

The New Yorker

"The band broke up.

Independent

(They broke up).

The New Yorker

The President broke up".

The New Yorker

Then you broke up.

The New Yorker

They never broke up again.

The New York Times

She and I broke up.

The New Yorker

Yes, Dinosaur Jr. broke up.

The New Yorker

She broke up with Tom.

The New Yorker

That's why we broke up".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

(E3) I broke up with my boyfriend.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broke up" when referring to the end of a romantic relationship, a band's disbandment, or a group's dissolution. Ensure the context clearly indicates the type of separation.

Common error

Avoid using "broke up" in contexts where a more precise term is needed. For instance, in formal business settings, use "dissolved" or "terminated" instead of "broke up" to maintain professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broke up" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the termination of a relationship, agreement, or union. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in written English and, as showcased in the examples, covers a wide array of applications, from personal relationships to the disbanding of groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

13%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broke up" is a versatile phrasal verb widely used to denote the termination of relationships, associations, or groups. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is a standard element of written English. The examples show the phrase's adaptability across various scenarios, from personal relationships to organizational disbandments. While "broke up" is commonly used in news and media, it is crucial to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "ended their relationship" or "dissolved their partnership" for professional settings. Remember to use this phrase accurately, ensuring the meaning of the type of separation is clear. The frequency of "broke up" confirms its status as a very common phrase in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ended their relationship

Replaces the phrasal verb with a more formal and explicit expression.

separated

A more concise and neutral way to indicate the end of a relationship.

split up

Similar in meaning, but can sometimes imply a more amicable separation.

went their separate ways

A more metaphorical way to describe the end of a partnership.

dissolved their partnership

More formal, suitable for business or legal contexts.

called it quits

Informal and implies a mutual decision to end the relationship.

parted ways

A polite and somewhat formal way to describe a separation.

terminated their association

A very formal and business-like expression for ending a connection.

ceased to be together

A straightforward and somewhat detached way of stating the end of a relationship.

are no longer an item

Informal and emphasizes the change in relationship status.

FAQs

How do I use "broke up" in a sentence?

Use "broke up" to describe the end of a relationship or the disbanding of a group. For example, "They "broke up" after five years of dating" or "The band "broke up" due to creative differences".

What's a more formal way to say "broke up"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "ended their relationship", "separated", or "dissolved their partnership" depending on the specific situation.

Is "split up" the same as "broke up"?

"Split up" is very similar to "broke up" and can often be used interchangeably. However, "split up" can sometimes imply a more amicable or mutual decision than "broke up".

Can "broke up" be used for things other than romantic relationships?

Yes, "broke up" can also describe the end of a band, a company, or any other group that has ceased functioning together. However, for more formal entities, words like "dissolved" might be more appropriate.