subject to break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subject to break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is vulnerable to being broken or is not guaranteed to remain intact. Example: "The fragile vase is subject to break if not handled carefully."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Adorno says the book aims to complete what he considered his lifelong task as a philosopher: "to use the strength of the [epistemic] subject to break through the deception [Trug] of constitutive subjectivity" (ND xx).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This paper presents a new approach to the definition of loads for use in performance design of vertical coastal structures subject to breaking wave impacts.

Coastal Engineering

Attention must be paid to 401 k)s, those pots of tax-sheltered money that are subject to breaking if you change jobs, retire or die.

Forbes

In fact, if the calculation is correct, you can only regret a lack of ambition on the part of the organisers, who might just as easily have requested subjects to break up fat balls in the sewers, or to upgrade the trans-Pennine rail link, or to donate organs to any royals who might need one.

The Guardian - Opinion

The logical-rule models were shown to provide an accurate account of all aspects of the data, but only when they allow for response bias and the possibility for subjects to break those rules.

Cognitive Psychology

Several other Iowa farms have been subject to break-ins and the release of animals in recent years, and the group's statement said such acts would continue until the animals' "blood stops spilling".

The New York Times

It's a dream and the best are more subject to breaks".

The New York Times - Sports

It also included a number of new appendices, one of them sharply criticizing Herder, whose idea of God amounted, in Jacobi's opinion, to a half-baked pantheism.[5] (Jacobi, 1789: 349–357) Jacobi's prefatory theses on human freedom were to be highly influential in the debate on the subject soon to break out between K.L Reinhold and C. C. E. Schmid.

SEP

Eggs deemed infertile on candling were subjected to break-outs to determine time of embryonic death according to standard charts [ 10], while fertile eggs were taken to hatch.

BMC Veterinary Research

Inevitably, more than half the people subject to asbos break them.

The Guardian - Opinion

You need to invest yourself emotionally with your subject, in order to break that barrier; for people to forget you are photographing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "subject to break" when you want to emphasize the possibility of damage or failure under certain conditions, especially when those conditions are specified or implied.

Common error

Avoid using "subject to break" in overly casual conversation; simpler alternatives like "fragile" or "breakable" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subject to break" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun's vulnerability or likelihood of being damaged. Ludwig AI examples show usage across diverse contexts, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "subject to break" is a common English expression used to describe something's vulnerability to damage or failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While versatile, it is important to consider the formality of the situation, opting for simpler alternatives like "fragile" in casual settings. The phrase appears frequently in science, news & media, and formal & business contexts. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively communicate potential vulnerabilities and set appropriate expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prone to breaking

Emphasizes a natural tendency or likelihood of breaking.

liable to break

Highlights the risk or potential for breaking.

vulnerable to breakage

Focuses on the state of being exposed to the risk of breaking.

susceptible to damage

Broadens the scope to include various forms of damage, not just breaking.

at risk of fracturing

Specifically refers to the potential for cracking or fracturing.

in danger of breaking

Emphasizes the imminence or severity of the risk.

tending to break

Similar to 'prone to breaking' but may imply a weaker tendency.

likely to break

Indicates a high probability of breaking.

easily broken

Highlights the ease with which something can be broken.

fragile and breakable

Stresses the delicate nature and potential for breaking.

FAQs

How can I use "subject to break" in a sentence?

You can use "subject to break" to indicate that something is vulnerable to damage or failure. For example, "This agreement is "subject to break" if the terms are not met."

What is a more informal way to say "subject to break"?

In more casual contexts, consider using alternatives like "fragile", "breakable", or "easily damaged" instead of "subject to break".

Is it correct to say "subject of breaking" instead of "subject to break"?

No, the correct phrase is "subject to break". "Subject of breaking" is grammatically incorrect and not idiomatic.

What's the difference between "subject to break" and "liable to break"?

"Subject to break" generally indicates a condition that makes something vulnerable, while "liable to break" suggests a higher probability or legal responsibility related to the breakage.