have broken

USAGE SUMMARY

"have broken" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate the past tense of the verb "break". For example: "I have broken my pencil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Strikes have broken out.

The Economist

"Something must have broken down.

The New York Times

Most people would have broken.

Independent

A zipper could have broken.

The New York Times

"We would have broken them".

The New Yorker

Payment systems have broken down.

The Economist

Violent clashes have broken out.

The New York Times

Old loyalties have broken down.

The Economist

Dialogue groups have broken up.

The New York Times

Talks have broken down.

The Guardian

Your waters have broken".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have broken" to indicate a completed action in the past that has relevance to the present, such as "They have broken their promises."

Common error

Avoid using "have broken" when a simple past tense ("broke") is more appropriate. For example, instead of "Yesterday, I have broken the vase", use "Yesterday, I broke the vase".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have broken" functions as a present perfect verb construction, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance or effect in the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have broken" is a present perfect verb phrase used to describe past actions that have a present consequence or relevance. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It's prevalent in news and media, science, and business contexts. Remember to use it when emphasizing the link between a past event and its current state, and avoid using it in situations where a simple past tense would be more appropriate. Consider using alternatives like ""have violated"" or ""have breached"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have violated

Focuses specifically on the act of breaking a rule or agreement.

have breached

Suggests a violation of trust or a formal agreement.

have infringed

Focuses on the act of trespassing or violating a right or law.

have ruptured

Implies a sudden break or tear, often in a physical sense.

have fractured

Indicates a crack or break, typically used in a physical context.

have dismantled

Refers to taking something apart or breaking it down into components.

have disintegrated

Suggests a complete breakdown or falling apart.

have shattered

Implies a violent breaking into many pieces.

are in pieces

Highlights the resulting state of being broken, rather than the action itself.

are non-functional

Emphasizes the result of being broken, in the sense of no longer working.

FAQs

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

Use "have broken" to describe a past action that has a present consequence or relevance. For example: "The negotiations "have broken down"" or "They "have broken the law"".

What are some alternatives to "have broken"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "have violated", "have breached", or "have ruptured". Each alternative carries a slightly different connotation.

When is it appropriate to use "have broken" instead of "broke"?

Use "have broken" when emphasizing the present result of a past action. Use "broke" for a simple past action with no particular present relevance. For instance, "I "broke" the window yesterday" versus "I "have broken" my diet, so I feel guilty now".

Is "had broken" different from "have broken"?

"Had broken" indicates the past perfect tense, referring to an action completed before another point in the past. "Have broken" indicates the present perfect tense, referring to an action completed at some point before the present. For instance: "I had broken the window before he arrived" versus "I "have broken" the window".