he was broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was broken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe either a literal or figurative event – for example, "When his heart was broken by his risky business venture, he was broken, too."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Personal accounts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He was broken," Mrs. Mower said.

The New York Times

He was "broken," one friend suggests.

The New York Times

"When one was arrested he was broken out of jail".

The New York Times

He was broken only twice during the tournament.

The New York Times - Sports

There, his nerves surfaced momentarily, and he was broken by a rejuvenated Simon.

The New York Times

"I could see it in his eyes that he was broken".

The New York Times

But serving for the set at 5-3, he was broken.

The New York Times - Sports

When he did, he was broken in every set, and with Novak once is normally enough.

Independent

On Saturday he was broken at 4-3, and lost a second-set tiebreaker.

The New York Times

This time he was broken twice in a row as Youzhny went 5-2 up.

Independent

But instead of building on his advantage, he was broken immediately.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sports use the term when someone has his serve broken

Common error

Avoid using "he was broken" for minor disappointments or temporary setbacks. Reserve it for situations where the impact is profound and lasting to maintain its emotional weight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was broken" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a state of emotional or psychological distress. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, from personal struggles to sports defeats.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was broken" is a common and grammatically sound way to express deep emotional or psychological distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used in diverse contexts, ranging from personal accounts and news reports to sports narratives. While "he was broken" effectively conveys profound damage, it's best reserved for significant situations to maintain its impact. Alternatives like ""he was devastated"" or ""he was crushed"" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. Remember to be mindful of overusing it in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was devastated

Focuses on the intense emotional pain and shock experienced.

he was crushed

Emphasizes the feeling of being utterly defeated or overwhelmed.

he was shattered

Highlights the idea of being broken into many pieces, suggesting a complete loss of composure.

he was defeated

Implies a loss in a competition or struggle, leading to a feeling of being broken.

he was demoralized

Focuses on the loss of confidence or morale.

he was undone

Suggests a complete ruin or downfall.

he was overcome

Highlights the feeling of being overpowered by emotions or circumstances.

he was overwhelmed

Emphasizes the feeling of being burdened by too much to handle.

he was traumatized

Suggests a deep emotional wound caused by a distressing experience.

he was left in despair

Focuses on the feeling of hopelessness and loss of faith.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "he was broken"?

It generally means the person experienced severe emotional distress or a significant setback that has deeply affected them. It suggests a state of being emotionally or psychologically damaged.

How can I use "he was broken" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's emotional state after a traumatic event, a significant loss, or a series of failures. For example, "After losing his job and his house, "he was devastated", and he felt like he was broken."

What are some alternatives to saying "he was broken"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he was devastated", "he was crushed", or "he was shattered". Each of these alternatives carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "he was broken" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "he was broken" is generally more suitable for informal or narrative writing. In formal writing, consider using more nuanced and descriptive language to convey the emotional state, such as "he was defeated" or "he was demoralized" depending on the context.