in breach of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in breach of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has violated a rule or a law, or broken a contract. Example: The company was found to be in breach of the safety regulations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That was in breach of Czech law.

The New York Times

It found that this was in breach of police rules.

The Guardian

ReprintsIn both cases, officials were in breach of China's constitution.

The Economist

Of course, you are in breach of your visa.

Independent

Mourinho was in breach of rule Q, governing managers' conduct.

The Guardian - Sport

This is in breach of the law," the DPA said.

The Guardian - Tech

Surely this is in breach of health and safety regulations?

The Guardian - Money

The employer said this was in breach of company policy.

The Guardian - Money

"I said, 'Stephen, you're clearly in breach of your asbo.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

JJB denied it was already in breach of certain covenants.

The Guardian - Business

The lawyers agreed the seller was in breach of contract.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in breach of", ensure the context clearly defines what rule, law, or agreement is being violated. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in breach of" loosely for minor disagreements or inconveniences. This phrase is most appropriate when a significant rule, law, or contractual obligation has been violated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in breach of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate a state of violation or non-compliance with a rule, law, agreement, or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in breach of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote a violation of rules, laws, or agreements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appears frequently in formal, business, news, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "in violation of" and "in contravention of" exist, "in breach of" maintains a neutral to formal register suitable for serious discussions about infractions. Remember to use this phrase when a clear violation has occurred, avoiding overuse in trivial situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in violation of

This alternative is a direct synonym, often used in legal and formal contexts, and carries a similar weight of seriousness.

in contravention of

This phrase is more formal and typically used in legal or official documents to denote a breach of a rule or law.

in non-compliance with

This phrase is very formal and specifically denotes a failure to adhere to a set of rules or regulations.

in defiance of

This suggests a more deliberate and open resistance to a rule or authority, implying a willful disobedience.

contrary to

This is a more general term indicating something is opposite or against a rule or expectation, less forceful than "in breach of".

in disregard of

This phrase suggests a lack of attention or respect for a rule or obligation, often implying negligence.

in opposition to

This indicates a direct conflict or resistance, but it is less specific about whether a rule has been broken.

at odds with

This indicates a conflict or disagreement, but not necessarily a direct violation of a rule.

against the rules

This is an informal way of saying something violates established rules, suitable for less formal contexts.

transgressing

This term implies a violation of a moral or ethical boundary, rather than strictly legal or contractual.

FAQs

How can I use "in breach of" in a sentence?

Use "in breach of" to indicate that someone or something has violated a rule, law, or agreement. For example, "The company was found to be "in breach of" its contract".

What's the difference between "in breach of" and "in violation of"?

While very similar, "in violation of" may carry a slightly stronger connotation of breaking a law or regulation, whereas "in breach of" can also refer to breaking a contract or agreement. Both are largely interchangeable in many contexts.

What are some alternatives to saying "in breach of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "in violation of", "in contravention of", or simply "violating".

Is it always formal to use the phrase "in breach of"?

While "in breach of" is suitable for formal contexts, it can also be used in less formal settings when discussing the breaking of rules or agreements. Its formality is generally neutral and depends on the surrounding language.