must have broken

USAGE SUMMARY

"must have broken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest or imply that something has broken or has been damaged in some way due to a likely cause. For example: "The glass vase was smashed, so it must have broken when someone knocked it off the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The observation that the D3 GCR is a circular chromosome (Figure 1B) therefore indicates that this GCR must have broken again between the last breakpoint and the telomere, followed by joining of the broken end to the right telomere of chromosome V (Figure 5C).

Plosone

"Something must have broken down.

The New York Times

"It must have broken his heart".

The New Yorker

"You must have broken her heart".

The New Yorker

It must have broken her heart".

The New Yorker

Must have broken every bone in his fluffy little body".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

"I think the machine must have broke or something," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

People forget he also made a sidewinder for birdie on 16 that must have broke 20 feet.

The New York Times

"I told my buddy afterward, I must have broke my jaw, because when I bite down my teeth don't come together," he recalled.

The New Yorker

Therese Alampo, St Cyrus reserve manager, said: "The depth of the swell during the storms we had over the holidays must have broke apart the shipwreck some more and caused the lard to escape.

BBC

I think a hinge must have broke in my hip".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must have broken" to indicate a logical conclusion based on available evidence, suggesting a high probability of something being broken or damaged. For example, "The window is cracked; someone must have broken it."

Common error

Avoid using "must have broken" when there's no supporting evidence or the conclusion is purely speculative. Instead, opt for phrases like "might have broken" or "could have broken" to indicate uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must have broken" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a high degree of certainty or logical inference about a past event. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in drawing conclusions from observed facts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must have broken" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong inference about a past event. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure there's sufficient evidence to support the conclusion drawn. Alternatives such as ""must have shattered"" or ""must have failed"" can offer nuanced meanings depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must have shattered

Focuses on forceful breakage into many pieces.

must have failed

Emphasizes a lack of success or proper functioning.

must have malfunctioned

Specifically suggests an issue with the operation of a machine or device.

must have given way

Implies collapse under pressure or strain.

must have split

Suggests a division or separation into two or more parts.

must have snapped

Indicates a sudden and forceful break, often with a sharp sound.

must have ruptured

Implies a sudden bursting or tearing open.

must have been damaged

A more general term indicating harm or impairment.

must have been breached

Emphasizes violation of a barrier or agreement.

must have been compromised

Suggests a weakening or vulnerability, often due to external factors.

FAQs

How can I use "must have broken" in a sentence?

Use "must have broken" to suggest something is damaged due to a logical reason. For example, "The toy isn't working; it "must have broken" inside".

What's the difference between "must have broken" and "might have broken"?

"Must have broken" suggests a high degree of certainty based on evidence, while "might have broken" indicates possibility or uncertainty. For instance, "The machine stopped working, it "must have broken"" implies a stronger belief than "it "might have broken"".

What are some alternative phrases for "must have broken"?

Alternatives include "must have shattered", "must have failed", or "must have malfunctioned" depending on the context and the specific type of breakage or damage.

Is it correct to say "must have breaked" instead of "must have broken"?

No, "must have breaked" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle of "break" is "broken", so the proper phrasing is ""must have broken"".