has broken free

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has broken free" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has escaped from confinement or control. Example: "After years of struggle, the animal has broken free from its cage and is now roaming the wild."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

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

Somehow, the shade of Hughes has broken free.

The Guardian - Books

Putin used the Kadyrov family to crush Chechen separatism, but now Ramzan has broken free.

The Guardian

When last seen it has broken free and is trotting toward an indeterminate future.

The New York Times

Borkman dies at the moment he says he has broken free from his psychic exile.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Preliminary reports indicated that some prisoners had broken free.

The New York Times

His toes had broken free of his wet tennis shoes.

The New Yorker

The elephant in our collective memories had broken free.

The New York Times - Health

Mercifully, by the following afternoon he had broken free.

The Guardian - Sport

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

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has broken free" when you want to convey a sense of liberation, escape from constraints, or overcoming a difficult situation. It's particularly effective when describing a shift from a negative state to a positive one.

Common error

Avoid using "has broken free" in contexts where a literal escape is expected but not present. The phrase is best suited for metaphorical situations involving overcoming limitations or escaping abstract constraints.

Linguistic Context

Predicate: "Has broken free" functions as the predicate of a sentence, indicating an action completed in the recent past with ongoing relevance. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It expresses a transition from a state of confinement or restriction to one of freedom or autonomy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has broken free" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, signifying a transition from constraint to freedom. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in News & Media contexts, and its usage extends to Science and more formal business settings. While alternatives like "has escaped" or "has been liberated" exist, "has broken free" carries a unique sense of triumph and overcoming obstacles. Writers should use it thoughtfully, particularly in metaphorical contexts, to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has escaped

Focuses on the act of physically escaping a confined space.

has been liberated

Emphasizes the act of being freed by an external force or event.

has been released

Implies a formal or controlled process of being set free.

has come loose

Suggests a detachment from a previously secured position.

has shrugged off

Highlights the act of dismissing or overcoming something burdensome.

has thrown off

Implies a forceful rejection or removal of constraints.

has surmounted

Focuses on successfully overcoming a challenge or obstacle.

has shaken off

Suggests a release from something that was clinging or holding back.

has emancipated itself

Highlights achieving autonomy.

has risen above

Indicates a transcendence of negative circumstances.

FAQs

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

Use "has broken free" to describe something or someone that has escaped confinement or control. For example: "After years of struggle, the company "has broken free" from debt."

What can I say instead of "has broken free"?

You can use alternatives like "has escaped", "has been liberated", or "has been released" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has broken free" or "had broken free"?

"Has broken free" implies a recent or current state of freedom, while "had broken free" refers to a past event that led to a state of freedom before another point in the past. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the escape or liberation.

What's the difference between "has broken free" and "has broken loose"?

"Has broken free" typically implies escaping from a more abstract constraint or confinement, while "has broken loose" often refers to a physical detachment or escape from something that was holding it in place.