broken a bone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broken a bone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of fracturing a bone in the body, often in a medical or conversational context. Example: "After the fall, I realized I had broken a bone in my wrist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Have you ever broken a bone?

The New York Times

I thought I'd broken a bone.

The Guardian - Music

"Dear Sir. He's broken a bone in his foot".

The Guardian

Have you ever broken a bone as an adult?

The New York Times - Health

Thankfully, she hasn't broken a bone since she was 12.

Independent

If you've ever broken a bone, you'll know that X-rays are bad for humans.

Harvard University

Only yesterday did he learn he had broken a bone in his wrist that time, too.

The New York Times - Sports

He'd never been in the hospital, was rarely sick and had not even broken a bone.

The New York Times - Magazine

I've never broken a bone in my leg, though, so I've never had to use crutches.

The New York Times

Prince Amukamara had never broken a bone in his body until Saturday night.

The New York Times

If your T-score is –2.5 or less: you have osteoporosis, even if you haven't yet broken a bone.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a bone injury, use precise language to specify the bone that was "broken a bone" and the type of fracture, if known, for clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "broken a bone" when the injury is a sprain, strain, or dislocation. These are different types of injuries that don't involve a fracture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken a bone" functions as a verb phrase describing an injury. It is commonly used to indicate that a bone has been fractured. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable way to express this concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broken a bone" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a bone fracture. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and sports reporting. While alternatives like "fractured a bone" exist, "broken a bone" remains a widely understood and used expression. When writing, ensure to specify the injured bone and type of fracture for clarity. Avoid confusing it with other injuries like sprains or strains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fractured a bone

Uses a different verb to describe the same injury.

suffered a bone fracture

Rephrases the injury using a more formal tone.

had a bone fracture

Employs 'had' instead of 'broken' to convey the injury.

sustained a bone injury

Broadens the scope to include any injury to the bone.

experienced a broken bone

Replaces 'broken' with 'experienced' to describe the event.

cracked a bone

Uses a less severe term for a bone injury.

snapped a bone

Emphasizes the sound and suddenness of the injury.

split a bone

Describes a specific type of bone fracture.

damaged a bone

A more general term indicating harm to the bone structure.

injured a bone

A broad term including various types of harm to a bone.

FAQs

How do I use "broken a bone" in a sentence?

Use "broken a bone" to describe the act of fracturing a bone. For example, "He "broken a bone" during the soccer game and had to be taken to the hospital."

What are some alternative ways to say "broken a bone"?

You can use alternatives like "fractured a bone", "sustained a bone fracture", or "had a bone fracture depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have broke a bone" instead of "I have broken a bone"?

No, "I have broke a bone" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle of "break" is "broken", so you should say "I have "broken a bone"."

What's the difference between a fracture and having "broken a bone"?

There isn't a significant difference. "Fracture" is a medical term for what is commonly known as having ""broken a bone"". They are often used interchangeably.