to be broke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be broke" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is often used to describe a person or entity that is impoverished or has very limited funds. For example, "Ever since my father lost his job, our family has been broke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

If one of you falls seriously ill, has an accident, loses a loved one, or requires surgery, you don't want to be broke and worry from afar about their well-being.

WikiHow

They continue to be broke.

The New York Times

He now claims to be broke.

The Economist

"I'm just happy not to be broke.

The New York Times

No matter, we're going to be broke.

The New Yorker

He said he didn't have to be broke.

The New Yorker

"I don't want to be broke in my old age".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I am back to being broke," Adrover says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Eat_the_poor: Has anyone ever gone from having a billion dollars to being broke?

Forbes

MR: The having to get used to being broke part is one of the more original things I've heard.

Huffington Post

So, you have to believe in yourself and you have to work really hard and you have to be used to being broke.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be broke" in contexts where you want to convey a general state of having little or no money. It is suitable for both formal and informal situations, depending on the surrounding text.

Common error

Avoid using "broken" when you mean "broke". "Broken" refers to something that is damaged or not working, while "broke" specifically refers to a lack of money. For example, it's incorrect to say "I am broken" when you mean "I don't have any money"; instead, say "I am broke".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be broke" functions as an infinitive phrase that describes a state of lacking financial resources. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase commonly appears as a complement to other verbs to express a future state or possibility, such as "going to be broke" or "likely to be broke".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be broke" is a widely used and generally accepted way to describe a state of lacking money. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in varied sources. While more formal alternatives exist, its neutral register makes it appropriate for most situations, and it is critical to differentiate it from being "broken" which implies something that is damaged or not working.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be penniless

Focuses on lacking even the smallest amount of money.

to be without funds

A straightforward way of expressing a lack of money.

to be insolvent

Implies a formal state of financial inability, often in a business context.

to be hard up

An informal way to say someone is experiencing financial difficulties.

to be destitute

Suggests a state of extreme poverty and lacking basic necessities.

to be strapped for cash

Implies a temporary shortage of money.

to be impecunious

A more formal or literary way of saying "to be broke".

to be in the red

Refers to having a negative bank balance or operating at a loss.

to be in debt

Highlights the condition of owing money.

to be on the breadline

Indicates a state of near-poverty, with just enough money for basic survival.

FAQs

How can I use "to be broke" in a sentence?

You can use "to be broke" to describe a temporary or chronic lack of funds, such as, "After paying rent, I expect "to be broke" until my next paycheck arrives".

What is a more formal way of saying "to be broke"?

While "to be broke" is widely understood, more formal alternatives include "to be insolvent" (particularly in a business context) or "to be impecunious".

What's the difference between "to be broke" and "to be poor"?

"To be broke" typically suggests a temporary state of lacking money, while "to be poor" implies a more long-term condition of poverty or limited financial resources. Someone who is broke may anticipate future income, whereas someone who is poor may face persistent financial challenges.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to be broke"?

It's appropriate to use "to be broke" in a variety of contexts, from casual conversations to news articles, when you need to convey the idea of lacking funds. However, in highly formal or professional settings, consider using alternatives like "to be without funds" or "to be insolvent" for added precision.