broken free

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broken free" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has escaped from a constraint or limitation. Example: "After years of feeling trapped in her job, she finally felt broken free and ready to pursue her dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His toes had broken free of his wet tennis shoes.

The New Yorker

Preliminary reports indicated that some prisoners had broken free.

The New York Times

He has broken free: and good for him".

The Guardian

Now in a sense his only granddaughter has broken free.

The New York Times - Books

Mercifully, by the following afternoon he had broken free.

The Guardian - Sport

The elephant in our collective memories had broken free.

The New York Times - Health

Somehow, the shade of Hughes has broken free.

The Guardian - Books

Both support the idea that young Indians have broken free of more traditional views.

The Economist

With one bound, however long delayed, he had broken free of the Wilson incubus.

Independent

Psychologically, the Labour party has just broken free of Blair, for the first time.

The Guardian

Before the score, Lewis had broken free on a 20-yard run.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broken free" to vividly describe a moment of liberation or escape, whether it's physical, emotional, or intellectual. This phrase carries a strong sense of release and newfound independence.

Common error

While "broken free" is widely applicable, be mindful of using it excessively in highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "liberated" or "released" for a more professional tone depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken free" functions primarily as a past participle verb phrase, often used in the perfect tenses to indicate that something has escaped or been liberated. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broken free" is a versatile and widely used verb phrase that describes a state of liberation or escape. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general writing. While its usage is generally neutral, caution should be exercised in highly formal settings, where alternatives like "liberated" or "released" might be more suitable. The phrase carries a strong sense of release and newfound independence, making it a powerful tool for conveying both literal and figurative escapes. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "broken free" stands as a testament to the enduring human desire for freedom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escaped

Implies a physical or metaphorical exit from confinement or control.

liberated

Suggests freedom from oppression or restriction, often with a positive connotation.

unchained

Emphasizes the removal of literal or figurative chains, highlighting newfound freedom.

set loose

Conveys the idea of releasing something or someone from captivity or restraint.

detached

Indicates a separation or disconnection from something previously attached or connected.

gone rogue

Implies acting independently and often unpredictably, sometimes in defiance of authority.

gone astray

Describes a deviation from a correct path or expected behavior.

emancipated

Specifically refers to being freed from legal, social, or political constraints.

disentangled

Suggests the process of freeing oneself from a complicated or confusing situation.

released

Indicates the act of letting go or freeing someone or something.

FAQs

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

You can use "broken free" to describe a physical escape, like "The prisoner had broken free from his cell", or a metaphorical one, such as "She felt like she had "broken free" from her past."

What are some alternatives to "broken free"?

Alternatives include "escaped", "liberated", "released", or "unchained", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "break free" instead of "broken free"?

"Break free" is the infinitive form of the verb. "Broken free" is the past participle, used in perfect tenses (e.g., "has broken free") or as an adjective.

What's the difference between "broken free" and "set free"?

"Set free" implies an external agent causing the liberation, while ""broken free"" suggests the subject achieved freedom through their own efforts or a natural process. For example, "The bird was set free by the zookeeper", versus "The bird had "broken free" from its cage."