will break that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will break that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of causing something to become broken or damaged in the future. Example: "If you keep applying pressure to that old chair, it will break that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"He will break that record," Armstead predicted.

The New York Times - Sports

And if teams are still tied, goals scored will break that tie.

The New York Times - Sports

It now looks like the Bush administration will break that mold".

The New York Times

Today it looks like many Lib Dems will break that promise.

The Guardian

I don't think anyone will break that record in my lifetime.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I think today will be the hottest day of the year and tomorrow will break that again".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Now, he'll break that project into 15 pieces with hourly deadlines and impose a three-day overall deadline.

Forbes

As far as women goes, Palin says she'll break that 18-million cracked glass ceiling.

Huffington Post

I'll break that up for you".

The New Yorker

You beat your personal best!" Or, if that didn't happen: "You'll break that record next time!" My youngest son attended a different school.

Huffington Post

The only way any woman will ever break that mark is on a motorcycle.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will break that", consider the formality of your writing. While generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "will exceed that" or "will surpass that".

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun "that" has a clear and unambiguous antecedent. If the referent is unclear, the sentence becomes confusing. Replace "that" with the specific noun or phrase being referred to for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will break that" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a future action that will surpass, violate, or terminate a prior state or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will break that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a future action that will surpass, violate, or end a prior state. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely applicable and appears in various contexts, mainly in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, writers should ensure clarity in the referent of "that" to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "will surpass that" or "will exceed that" for increased formality or specificity. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively utilize "will break that" to communicate future changes or overcomings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will surpass that

Focuses on exceeding or outdoing a specific limit or achievement.

will exceed that

Focuses specifically on surpassing a numerical value or limit in the future.

will invalidate that

Implies rendering something null, void, or without legal force in the future.

will overturn that

Suggests a future reversal of a decision or situation.

will negate that

Emphasizes the future cancellation or denial of a particular effect or statement.

will undo that

Focuses on reversing the effects of a prior action or event.

will reverse that

Similar to "will undo that" but with a stronger implication of going in the opposite direction.

will cancel that

Highlights the future act of calling something off or making it no longer valid.

will void that

Emphasizes rendering something completely ineffective or without value.

will trump that

Informal way to suggest outperforming or surpassing something.

FAQs

How can I use "will break that" in a sentence?

Use "will break that" to indicate a future action that surpasses, violates, or terminates a previous state or agreement. For example, "The new policy will break that cycle of poverty".

What does "will break that" mean?

It means that something in the future is expected to surpass or go against a prior agreement, standard, or record. It implies a change from a previous condition.

What can I say instead of "will break that"?

You can use alternatives like "will surpass that", "will invalidate that", or "will exceed that" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "will be breaking that" instead of "will break that"?

While "will break that" implies a future action of surpassing or violating, "will be breaking that" suggests an ongoing action in the future. The choice depends on the intended meaning. If you want to convey a continuous action, "will be breaking that" may be appropriate, but "will break that" is more common.