it has broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has broken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been damaged or is no longer functioning. Example: "The vase fell off the shelf, and now it has broken into several pieces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has broken its service into three regions and is expanding into Spanish-and German-language programming.

The Economist

"On the nuclear issue, it has broken its promise," Mr. Abe said on the Nippon Television Network.

The New York Times

If so, then it has broken up its long winter vacation into a sequence of short recesses.

The New York Times

It is desperate to distract attention from the fact that it has broken some of its promises.

The Economist

As for Ameriprise's 401(k) plan for its employees, there may well be areas where it has broken the rules.

The New York Times

It has broken ground on a big expansion to its campus.

The Economist

In the process, it has broken up into the five subgroups, each with its own name and programming agenda.

The New York Times

It has broken through to a new level of competence and its leaders can be trusted.

The Guardian

It has broken their hearts ever since.

The New York Times - Sports

It has broken previous ceasefire agreements.

The Economist

Saudi Arabia denies it has broken international law.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has broken" to describe an abstract concept like a promise or agreement, ensure the context clearly indicates a violation or failure to adhere to the terms.

Common error

Avoid using "it has broken" when a less forceful term like "damaged" or "affected" is more appropriate. "It has broken" implies a more significant and often irreparable state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has broken" functions primarily as a declarative statement indicating that something is no longer whole, intact, or functioning as intended. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to describe a past event with present consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has broken" is a versatile and widely used phrase indicating a state of being damaged, violated, or surpassed. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable construction. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives like "it has shattered" or "it has violated" can offer more precise meanings depending on the specific context. Remember to use "it has broken" when you want to describe a past event with current relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has shattered

Implies a violent breaking into many pieces, emphasizing the force and extent of the damage.

it has violated

Implies a transgression against a rule, law, or agreement, differing from physical breakage.

it has fractured

Suggests a crack or split, often in a metaphorical sense, similar to 'broken' but less complete.

it has surpassed

Focuses on exceeding a limit or record, rather than damage or failure.

it has ruptured

Indicates a sudden break or burst, emphasizing a forceful separation.

it has collapsed

Suggests a sudden failure or loss of structure, often in a metaphorical sense.

it has disintegrated

Conveys a complete breakdown into smaller parts, highlighting a loss of cohesion.

it has failed

Indicates a lack of success or expected outcome, a broader term than 'broken'.

it has malfunctioned

Implies an issue in performance of something, frequently used in technical contexts.

it is non-functional

Describes a state of being unable to perform its intended purpose, highlighting the lack of operation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "it has broken" is used to indicate that something is damaged, non-functional, or violated. For example, you could say, "The vase fell and "it has broken" into pieces", or "It has broken its promise".

What are some alternatives to saying "it has broken"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "it has broken" include phrases like "it has shattered", "it has collapsed", or "it has violated". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it is broken" instead of "it has broken"?

Both "it is broken" and "it has broken" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "It is broken" describes the current state of something, while "it has broken" describes the event that led to that state. For example, "The toy is broken" indicates the toy's current condition, and "The toy has broken" indicates that the toy was working and is now broken.

What's the difference between "it has broken" and "it broke"?

"It has broken" is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past with relevance to the present. "It broke" is in the simple past tense, indicating a completed action in the past. For example, "It broke yesterday" specifies when the breaking happened, while ""it has broken"" implies that it is currently broken as a result of a past event.