this could break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this could break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the possibility of something failing or becoming damaged. Example: "Be careful with that old chair; this could break if you put too much weight on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"This could break backs.

The Economist

I hope the people behave themselves because this could break up some families".

The New York Times - Sports

"This could break her career," said André Leon Talley, the Vogue editor at large.

The New York Times

This could break the logjam for deployment of climate change mitigation.

The Guardian

"It seemed like maybe this could break the logjam," said Naomi Oreskes, professor of the history of science at Harvard.

The Guardian

"I'm sitting out here in California, which is the epicenter of where this could break out," Dr. Arakelian said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

I really thought that this music could break down so many barriers in the world.

Independent

The beginning of this season could break the 50-year record, with 16.7 feet in December, the most since 1964.

The New York Times - Travel

I think that if you can't do this it could break up into enclaves and Iraq could — I mean, you could see a lot of things happen.

The New Yorker

Mr. Townes and others said they hoped that this movie could break down stereotypes, and that it could show that black relationships, though not perfect, can thrive.

The New York Times

However, it acknowledged that applying this fix could break some Windows functions that people regularly use.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this could break", ensure the context clearly indicates what "this" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, instead of "This could break if we apply too much pressure", specify: "This old vase could break if we apply too much pressure."

Common error

In formal or academic writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "this may compromise", "this could destabilize", or "this might jeopardize" to convey a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the potential negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions as a predictive statement, indicating a potential negative outcome or failure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples show it used to express concerns about various systems or objects failing under certain conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this could break" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the possibility of something failing or becoming damaged. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and appears frequently in news, media, and wiki contexts. While acceptable in most situations, more formal writing may benefit from alternatives such as "this may jeopardize" or "this could undermine". When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what "this" refers to, thus avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this might shatter

Replaces "could" with "might" and "break" with "shatter", suggesting a more forceful or sudden failure.

this may fail

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "break" with "fail", presenting a more general sense of potential malfunction or ineffectiveness.

this could collapse

Replaces "break" with "collapse", implying a structural failure or a sudden loss of integrity.

this might disrupt

Replaces "break" with "disrupt", focusing on the potential for interruption or disturbance rather than physical damage.

this may jeopardize

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "break" with "jeopardize", highlighting the risk of endangering something valuable.

this could undermine

Replaces "break" with "undermine", suggesting a gradual weakening or erosion of something's foundation.

this might ruin

Substitutes "could" with "might" and "break" with "ruin", implying a complete and devastating failure.

this may fracture

Replaces "break" with "fracture", which is often used in a more literal sense when talking about a bone or rock.

this could destabilize

Replaces "break" with "destabilize", suggesting a loss of equilibrium or stability.

this may compromise

Replaces "could" with "may" and "break" with "compromise", indicating a weakening or impairment of something's quality or effectiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "this could break" in a sentence?

Use "this could break" to express the possibility of something failing, becoming damaged, or ceasing to function properly. For example: "If we overload the system, "this could break"."

What are some alternatives to saying "this could break"?

You can use alternatives such as "this might fail", "this may shatter", or "this could collapse" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "this could break" too informal for professional communication?

While "this could break" is generally acceptable, in more formal settings, consider alternatives like "this may jeopardize" or "this could undermine" for a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "this could break" and "this will break"?

"This could break" expresses a possibility, while "this will break" indicates a certainty or a strong likelihood. The former suggests a potential outcome, whereas the latter suggests a predicted outcome.