near breakdown

USAGE SUMMARY

"near breakdown" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation that is close to failure or collapse. For example: "The system is experiencing a near breakdown due to excessive demand." Alternative expressions include "almost failing" and "on the verge of collapse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A major report on the Irish scandal released last July led to a near breakdown in diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Ireland.

The New York Times

The deal comes just days after a near breakdown in peace talks almost led to an irrevocable rupture and a wider war.

The New York Times

"Things sometimes happen that you don't like, but as long as we got the W, that's all that matters," Marlins Manager Jack McKeon said of the near breakdown.

The New York Times - Sports

Pain and his inability to find answers have driven the unstably incandescent protagonist, a man of excessive answers, into near breakdown.

The New York Times - Books

One endless section presents Phineas's struggle with a boxful of incoherent note cards that he sorts and puzzles over to his near breakdown.

The New York Times - Books

In the following years Burnham faced an economy shattered by the depressed demand for bauxite and sugar and a restive populace suffering from severe commodity shortages and a near breakdown of essential public services.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

There have been reports of trouble brewing in Palin's inner-circle for a while -- of near breakdowns and dramatic outbursts -- as the arrival of more paid political hacks from outside Alaska has created furious infighting for Palin's favors.

Huffington Post

Michael Keaton plays the careworn and distracted Spotlight editor Robby Robinson – an interesting comparison with his performance as the journalist nearing breakdown in Ron Howard's The Paper (1994) – and John Slattery plays the section chief Ben Bradlee Jr, son of the great man himself, although Watergate is not mentioned.

The Guardian - Film

Woolf suffered from severe episodes of manic-depression; she wrote this essay shortly after a near-breakdown.

The New York Times - Books

Furler is a 40-year-old Australian former indie chanteuse whose near-breakdown prompted this second writing career.

The Guardian - Music

She subsequently suffered a near-breakdown because of work-related stress and has been receiving sick pay ever since.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "near breakdown" to describe situations that are severely compromised and likely to fail if conditions do not improve. It is suitable for both tangible systems (e.g. "the economy was in a near breakdown") and emotional states (e.g. "he suffered a near breakdown").

Common error

While "near breakdown" is widely understood, it can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "almost failed" or "close to collapsing" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "near breakdown" functions as a noun phrase, often used adjectivally to describe the state of something approaching failure or collapse. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is both grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "near breakdown" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a state close to failure or collapse, as corroborated by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overly informal settings. Related phrases include "close to collapsing" and "on the verge of collapse". When writing, remember to reserve "near breakdown" for situations genuinely on the brink of failure to maintain impact and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to collapsing

Focuses on the action of collapsing rather than the state of being broken down.

on the verge of collapse

Emphasizes the imminence of a collapse, using a more dramatic tone.

almost failed

Simplifies the expression to a straightforward statement of near failure.

approaching failure

Highlights the process of moving toward failure rather than an emotional state.

on the brink of disintegration

Suggests a more complete and catastrophic form of failure or collapse.

nearing mental exhaustion

Specifies emotional and mental state, focusing on exhaustion rather than breakdown.

close to a nervous breakdown

More specific to emotional and psychological distress.

about to crack

Informal expression focusing on the breaking point under pressure.

on the edge

Informal and general term referring to a state of high stress or instability.

at wit's end

Refers specifically to a state of being overwhelmed and unable to cope.

FAQs

How can I use "near breakdown" in a sentence?

You can use "near breakdown" to describe a situation or state that is close to failing or collapsing. For example, "The peace talks experienced a "near breakdown"" or "After months of intense pressure, she was on the verge of a "near breakdown"".

What's a less formal way to say "near breakdown"?

In less formal contexts, consider using phrases like "almost failed", "close to collapsing", or "on the edge" to convey a similar meaning without sounding overly dramatic.

Is "near breakdown" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "near breakdown" is appropriate for academic writing, particularly when discussing systems, processes, or situations that are critically unstable. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and register of your writing and that you select the most precise language for your context.

What's the difference between "near breakdown" and "complete breakdown"?

"Near breakdown" implies that a system or entity is approaching a state of failure but has not yet fully collapsed. "Complete breakdown", on the other hand, signifies a total failure or collapse. For example, "The negotiations experienced a "near breakdown" but were salvaged at the last minute," versus "The negotiations suffered a "complete breakdown", leading to war".