she broke up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she broke up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the end of a romantic relationship. Example: "After months of arguing, she broke up with him last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She broke up with Tom.

The New Yorker

"She broke up the Beatles".

The New York Times - Arts

"She broke up with me".

The New York Times

She broke up with Fowler soon afterwards.

The Guardian

Then she broke up with her girlfriend.

The New Yorker

She broke up with her boyfriend.

The New York Times - Magazine

But after he started college, she broke up with him.

The New York Times

She raged, she wept and she broke up with him.

The New York Times

She broke up with Tamayo in 1994 and has received several top-secret security clearances since.

The New York Times

She broke up with me first, and then I found out why.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She breaks up with Derek and leaves.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she broke up" to describe the end of a romantic relationship when you want to convey a straightforward and common expression. It's suitable for most contexts except very formal writing.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when discussing the breakup. For example, don't say "She breaks up with him yesterday"; instead, use "She broke up with him yesterday" or "She is breaking up with him today".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she broke up" functions as a declarative statement indicating the end of a romantic relationship or close association. Ludwig examples show its common use in describing past events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she broke up" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the end of a romantic relationship. Ludwig examples confirm its widespread use in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is widely accepted. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "she ended the relationship". When using the phrase, ensure you use the correct preposition "with" and maintain consistent tenses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she ended the relationship

Replaces the phrasal verb "broke up" with a more formal verb phrase.

she decided to split

A common and simple way to describe the end of a relationship.

she terminated the relationship

Uses a more formal and definitive verb, suggesting a complete end.

she finished with him

Emphasizes the completion or termination of the relationship from her perspective.

she called it quits

An informal expression indicating the end of a relationship or activity.

she parted ways with him

A gentler, more neutral way of saying they ended their relationship.

she walked away from the relationship

Focuses on her action of leaving the relationship.

she separated from him

Implies a formal separation, which may or may not be permanent.

she dissolved their bond

A metaphorical and more dramatic way to describe the end of the relationship.

she exited the partnership

Treats the relationship as a partnership or agreement that she is leaving.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "she broke up" in formal writing?

For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "she ended the relationship" or "she terminated the relationship" as they convey the same meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it correct to say "she broke up of" instead of "she broke up with"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "broke up" in this context is "with". Saying "she broke up of" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "she broke up" and "she split up"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, but "she "split up"" might suggest a more mutual decision or a longer period of separation leading to the final break.

Can "she broke up" be used in contexts other than romantic relationships?

While primarily used for romantic relationships, "she broke up" can occasionally describe the end of a partnership or close association, though this usage is less common.