broken time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broken time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing time that is disrupted, fragmented, or not functioning as expected, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "In the story, the protagonist experiences a broken time, where past and present collide in unexpected ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Matters came to a head at an 1893 general meeting of the RFU, where the legalization of broken time payments was soundly defeated by southern clubs, which controlled a majority of the votes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, the payment of players had become so commonplace by then that the FA had little option but to sanction the practice a year later, despite initial attempts to restrict professionalism to reimbursements for broken time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It happened in the late 19th century, when a class-infused row over the compensatory payments being made to working-class players—so-called "broken time" payments led to a breakaway by northern clubs and the emergence of a rival code.

The Economist

"People were promised 'full and fair' compensation and this promise has been broken time and time again".

BBC

A gut "out of whack --meaning having too little or the whack --meaningacteria punching a broken time clock--means a seriously impaired immune system.

Huffington Post

In 1962, against Brundage's opposition, the IOC amended the rules to allow sports federations to offer athletes "broken time" payments, compensating them for time missed from work, but only if they had dependents in need.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In 2003, Schwanecke et al. reported experimental evidence of broken time-reversal symmetry interaction of light with an artificial nonmagnetic material [36].

Nano Convergence

Now it is make or break time.

The Guardian

Week two is make or break time.

The Guardian

It is make or break time for Vikram S. Pandit.

The New York Times

It's make or break time".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broken time", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a disrupted schedule, a change in tempo (as in fencing), or compensation for missed work. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "broken time" when you simply mean a temporary pause or a scheduled break. Phrases like "break time" or "time off" are more appropriate for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken time" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It can denote a disruption or fragmentation of a schedule or timeline, as demonstrated by examples in Ludwig. Alternatively, it has a specialized meaning in fencing, referring to a sudden tempo change.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broken time" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to disrupted or fragmented time, as well as a fencing term. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent across various contexts, as supported by the examples Ludwig provides. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English and can effectively describe disrupted schedules or a specific fencing maneuver. When using "broken time", be mindful of the context to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives like "disrupted schedule" or "fractured timeline" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disrupted schedule

Emphasizes the interruption and disorganization of a planned sequence of events.

fractured timeline

Highlights a fragmented and non-linear representation of events in a chronological sequence.

interrupted period

Focuses on the cessation or break within a continuous duration.

fragmented hours

Implies a division of time into smaller, disconnected segments.

altered duration

Suggests a change in the originally intended or expected length of time.

split timing

Focuses on the separation of actions that would be typically scheduled together.

desynchronized moments

Refers to events that are no longer occurring in their intended or usual temporal relationship.

irregular tempo

Highlights inconsistencies in the pace or rhythm of events over time.

make or break time

Emphasizes a crucial juncture where outcomes are decisively determined.

break time

Refers to a scheduled or unscheduled pause within a larger time frame.

FAQs

How can "broken time" be used in a sentence?

"Broken time" can refer to a disrupted schedule, as in "The project suffered due to "broken time" and unexpected delays", or a specific fencing technique.

What's a synonym for "broken time" in the context of scheduling?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms such as "disrupted schedule", "fractured timeline", or "interrupted period".

Is "broken time" a common phrase in everyday language?

While grammatically correct, "broken time" isn't the most common phrase. Phrases like "break time" or "down time" are generally more prevalent in everyday conversation.

How does "broken time" differ from "break time"?

"Broken time" typically implies a disruption or fragmentation of time, whereas "break time" refers to a scheduled pause or rest period.