broken apart

USAGE SUMMARY

"broken apart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate when two separate parts of something are separated or divided. For example, "My family was broken apart when my parents divorced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's just broken apart.

The Guardian

Britain has broken apart.

The Guardian - Opinion

RICKETY, ineffectual and quarrelsome, Poland's coalition has broken apart.

The Economist

This town could get broken apart very easily, racially".

The New York Times

"But I fear now they have broken apart".

The New Yorker

To increase the flow of released gas, the rocks can be broken apart, or fractured.

The New York Times

The Humpty-Dumpty of families, the Arnos seem irreparably broken apart.

The New York Times - Books

Every time it was handled, more pieces were broken apart, and the damage was increased".

The New York Times

The Concept "Greenland" is the story of a family being broken apart.

The New York Times

When formerly contiguous patches of habitat are broken apart, it is called fragmentation.

The New York Times

From the air, the building looks something like a Star of David broken apart.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broken apart" to describe both physical objects and abstract concepts like relationships or organizations when they are divided into separate pieces or components.

Common error

While "broken apart" is widely understood, consider more formal alternatives like "disintegrated" or "fragmented" in academic or professional writing to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken apart" primarily functions as a phrasal verb in the passive voice. It describes a state of being separated or disintegrated. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples. Examples show its versatility in describing physical and abstract divisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broken apart" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb indicating a state of separation or disintegration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile, appearing in diverse contexts from news and media to scientific literature. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives might suit academic or professional writing better. The phrase describes both tangible and intangible subjects effectively and its frequent usage suggests a strong grasp in English vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disintegrated

Implies a complete breakdown into smaller pieces or components.

fragmented

Suggests division into smaller, disconnected parts.

split up

Indicates a separation, often used in the context of relationships or groups.

torn asunder

Conveys a violent or forceful separation.

came undone

Suggests a loosening or falling apart, often gradually.

fell to pieces

Implies a breakdown into a state of disrepair or ruin.

disrupted

Focuses on the interruption or disturbance of a unified state.

dismantled

Refers to the systematic taking apart of something.

scattered

Implies spreading out in a disorganized manner after being separated.

ruptured

Suggests a sudden break or tear, often under pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "broken apart" in a sentence?

You can use "broken apart" to describe something that has been separated into pieces, such as "The toy was "fragmented" after it was dropped" or "The family was "split up" due to the war".

What's a more formal way to say "broken apart"?

Depending on the context, you can use more formal alternatives like "disintegrated", ""fragmented"", or "dismantled".

Is "broken apart" the same as "broke apart"?

"Broken apart" is the past participle form, often used in passive constructions (e.g., "The vase was broken apart"). "Broke apart" is the simple past tense (e.g., "The vase broke apart").

What kind of things can be described as "broken apart"?

Both tangible items and intangible ideas can be described as "broken apart". Examples include physical objects like a "toy", organizations, or relationships like a "family".