broken upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broken upon" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It could be used in a poetic or metaphorical sense, perhaps to describe something that has been shattered or disrupted by an event or action. Example: "The waves crashed against the shore, broken upon the rocks like dreams dashed against reality."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"You must study the existing community structure in the slums you are rehousing, and ensure these connections are not broken upon the new estate.

The Guardian

Now he is trying to sell his expensive (for Bradford) house, and finds that every potential buyer is Pakistani.If the tide of South-East Asian migrants had broken upon Bradford in a single wave, as did the Kenyan and Ugandan Asians who fled to London and the Midlands in the late 1960s and early 1970s, their story would be simpler, and happier.

The Economist

Ms. Shteir follows this thread through the shoplifting woes of Bess Myerson, Minnesota Fats, Olga Korbut, Jennifer Capriati and Ms. Ryder, who is presented here as a poignant figure, a butterfly broken upon a wheel, treated more harshly than many first-time offenders.

The New York Times - Books

Moore says that if Bowe had told a subsequent Commons inquiry into the Westland affair what had passed between her and Ingham, and in turn what Powell had also told Brittan's private secretary, John Mogg, and had then revealed Thatcher's support for the leak, "the storm would have broken upon Mrs Thatcher's head".

The Guardian

This domain interface is broken upon activation, allowing nucleophile access.

Journal of Molecular Biology

The latter was orthogonally broken upon the bombardment and thus constituted a convenient S-SIMS cleavable bond.

Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

As the waves broke upon us, the hull boards bellied and bowed, straining against the pressure.

The New York Times - Magazine

The latest involves steel bolts that broke upon being tightened, further delaying the opening.

The New York Times

"Colonel Moray!" Running feet approached and Rory broke upon them, taking little notice this time of their close position.

The Guardian - Books

Because the projectiles break upon impact, they usually do not cause permanent injury, even when fired at close range.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But by 1637 both began to see, dimly, the storm that was about to break upon them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broken upon" sparingly and primarily in contexts where a sense of dramatic impact or figurative destruction is intended. Consider stronger, more common alternatives like "shattered by" or "impacted by" for clarity in general writing.

Common error

Avoid using "broken upon" in everyday speech or writing where simpler alternatives would be more appropriate. The phrase can sound overly dramatic or archaic if not used judiciously.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken upon" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that something has been acted upon and disrupted or damaged. Ludwig examples show it used in both literal and figurative senses, describing physical breakage or abstract impacts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "broken upon" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat uncommon expression used to describe something being disrupted or damaged by an event or force. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's often used in a more literary or figurative sense to convey a sense of dramatic impact. While seen in both scientific and news contexts, its frequency is relatively low, making it important to consider more common alternatives like "shattered by" or "impacted by" in general writing. The phrase's formality level and specific nuance should guide its usage, reserving it for situations where a strong, evocative tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smashed against

Implies violent destruction upon impact.

shattered by

Emphasizes the destructive impact, suggesting a forceful breaking.

dashed against

Evokes a sense of forceful collision and shattering, similar to "broken upon".

impacted by

Focuses on the influence or effect, often less violent than "broken".

ruptured by

Suggests a sudden break or tear, often used in scientific contexts.

affected by

A more general term indicating influence or change, without necessarily implying damage.

struck by

Suggests a sudden and forceful impact, often used for abstract concepts like realization.

collided with

Indicates a forceful meeting or crash, often used in a literal sense.

overwhelmed by

Implies being overcome or overpowered, often by emotions or events.

hit by

A more direct and literal alternative, suggesting a physical or metaphorical blow.

FAQs

What does "broken upon" mean?

The phrase "broken upon" typically means something has been shattered, disrupted, or negatively impacted by an event or force. It often carries a sense of dramatic or forceful impact.

What can I say instead of "broken upon"?

You can use alternatives like "shattered by", "impacted by", or "affected by" depending on the context.

Is "broken upon" grammatically correct?

Yes, "broken upon" is grammatically correct, although it is not a very common phrase in modern English. It might sound more formal or literary than other options.

Where might I encounter the phrase "broken upon"?

You might encounter "broken upon" in literature, poetry, or formal writing where a more evocative or dramatic tone is desired. It's less common in everyday conversation.