it should be broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it should be broken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something is expected to be damaged or not functioning properly. Example: "The old machine is so outdated that it should be broken by now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The wrangling comes as Microsoft awaits an imminent decision on its appeal of a federal court ruling last year that the company had so abused its monopoly power that it should be broken up.

The New York Times

Courting this level of regulation could bat down the question of whether it should be broken up or its News Feed algorithm needs to change.

TechCrunch

JPMorgan Chase has had to defend its business model, as analysts contend that it should be broken up.

The New York Times

The senator's Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act proposes that if a firm is so big that its failure would threaten the economy or financial system, it should be broken up, not protected by the promise of a bailout.

The New York Times

Instead of toasting the glory days when G.M. owned half of the United States car and truck market — its share peaked at 51percentt in 1962 amid suggestions that it should be broken up under antitrust laws — G.M. executives are looking expectantly ahead to November 2010.

The New York Times

It should be broken up.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Harding has made clear since taking charge of BBC News that it should be breaking more stories, setting the pace and "driving the daily agenda".

The Guardian

Ideally, it should be break up and dissolve slowly to attract the mullet.

WikiHow

Organizations that have done this successfully make it clear when rules should be broken and when they should not.

Harvard University

Although I'm not a fan of this overly-powerful social media platform and I believe that, like Ma Bell in the eighties, it's a monopoly that should be broken up, FaceBook serves as a metric for something.

HuffPost

After the uproar, it was decided that the two should be broken on the wheel.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it should be broken" when suggesting the dismantling or separation of an entity, system, or object due to inefficiency, ineffectiveness, or ethical concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "it should be broken" in situations where a more nuanced or constructive approach is possible. Consider alternatives that suggest reform or improvement rather than outright destruction when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it should be broken" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a recommendation or suggestion. It implies that a particular entity, system, or object ought to be dismantled or separated, often due to perceived flaws or ineffectiveness. Ludwig provides various examples illustrating its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it should be broken" is a modal verb phrase used to suggest or recommend the dismantling or separation of something, often due to perceived ineffectiveness or ethical issues. According to Ludwig, this expression is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the potential for more constructive alternatives depending on the specific situation. Always aim for clarity and precision in your recommendations and use it only when referring to flawed systems or entities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it needs to be disassembled

Focuses on the physical act of taking something apart, similar to breaking but implies a more methodical approach.

it ought to be dismantled

Ought to implies a moral obligation or advisability, similar to should but with a stronger sense of duty, and dismantle focuses on taking apart.

it has to be split up

Indicates a mandatory division, often implying that the current arrangement is no longer viable.

it requires separation

Emphasizes the necessity of dividing something, often in a more abstract or organizational sense.

it must be fragmented

Highlights the urgency and necessity of breaking something into smaller pieces.

it is time to dissolve it

Suggests ending an entity or agreement.

it warrants division

Suggests something merits being divided, but does not necessitate its separation.

it is advisable to sever it

Advisable suggests an action that would be sensible. Sever means to divide.

it justifies dissolution

Emphasizes that there are legitimate and defensible reasons for ending or terminating something.

it merits dismemberment

Indicates that breaking up into separate parts is earned. It is similar in meaning but sounds awkward in many contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "it should be broken" in a sentence?

You can use "it should be broken" to express an opinion that something needs to be dismantled or separated, either literally or figuratively. For example, "If any bank can't be managed effectively, "it should be broken" up".

What are some alternatives to saying "it should be broken"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it needs to be disassembled", "it requires separation", or "it must be fragmented".

When is it appropriate to use "it should be broken"?

It's appropriate when you want to express a strong opinion that something is fundamentally flawed and needs to be dismantled or divided to achieve a better outcome. Be mindful of the potential for a gentler approach.

Is "it should be broken" a formal or informal expression?

The formality depends on the context, but "it should be broken" leans towards neutral. It's suitable for news articles and opinion pieces, but consider more formal alternatives like "it ought to be dismantled" in academic or business settings.