it helps break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it helps break" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing how something facilitates the process of breaking down barriers, habits, or obstacles. Example: "Regular exercise helps break the cycle of stress and anxiety, leading to a healthier mindset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It helps break down barriers".

The Guardian

From politics to media, it helps break down old hierarchies.

The Guardian - Opinion

It helps break the "priesthood of the pundits" – he means Fleet Street – and its stranglehold on the agenda.

The Guardian

The heat expands the lid faster than the container, and tapping on it helps break the seal.

The New York Times

We depend on this so-called microbiome for our well-being: it helps break down our food, synthesize vitamins and shield against disease-causing germs.

The New York Times

So that's a key insight there and gets back to what I was saying earlier about the key feature of the 36 questions, that it helps break barriers.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It helped break the ice.

The New York Times

("It helped break everything down in an easy-to-digest format," Ms. Gelman said).

The New York Times

It helped break an oppressive social convention against the social mixing of blacks and whites.

The Washington Post

One newspaper described it as Mozart with gravy and potatoes, and Kamp Hansen said it helped break down some prejudices about classical music.

The Guardian

Moreover, "Beat It" helped break down the artificial barriers between black and white artists on the radio and in the emerging format of music videos on television.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it helps break", ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "it helps break" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure your reader understands what is providing the assistance; otherwise, the sentence loses clarity and effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it helps break" primarily functions as a causative expression, indicating that something (it) facilitates or assists in the process of breaking something else. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it often refers to overcoming barriers or dissolving established structures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it helps break" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate that something aids in overcoming barriers or facilitating a change. With a neutral register, it appears commonly across News & Media and academic writing, as per Ludwig's analysis. To ensure clarity, always provide a clear antecedent for "it". Remember, while the phrase is useful for describing contributory actions, selecting more precise alternatives might enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it assists in breaking

Replaces "helps" with "assists in", providing a more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

it aids in overcoming

Substitutes "break" with "overcoming", focusing on the act of conquering a challenge.

it facilitates the breaking

Uses "facilitates" to emphasize the ease or smoothness of the breaking process.

it contributes to breaking

Highlights the contributory aspect of the action, suggesting it's one of several factors.

it plays a role in breaking

Focuses on the part the subject plays in the breaking process, indicating its involvement.

it serves to break

Emphasizes the intended purpose of the subject in breaking something down.

it is instrumental in breaking

Indicates that the subject is crucial or essential for the breaking to occur.

it enables the breaking

Highlights the ability of the subject to make breaking possible.

it fosters a break

Suggests the subject encourages or promotes a break in something.

it promotes breaking

Indicates the subject actively encourages the action of breaking.

FAQs

How can I use "it helps break" in a sentence?

Use "it helps break" to show how something facilitates overcoming obstacles. For example, "Teamwork "it helps break" down silos in organizations".

What are some alternatives to "it helps break"?

You can use alternatives like "it assists in breaking", "it aids in overcoming", or "it facilitates the breaking" depending on the context.

Is "it helps break" formal or informal?

The phrase "it helps break" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

What does "it" refer to when using "it helps break"?

The pronoun "it" refers to a specific subject or action mentioned previously in the text. Make sure that the antecedent of "it" is clear to avoid confusion. For example, "Open communication "it helps break" down misunderstandings".