Cool MateBreak vs Fracture
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Break
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Fracture
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Break
| Break | Fracture | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/breɪk/","/breɪks/","/brəʊk/","/ˈbrəʊkən/","/ˈbreɪkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/breɪk/","/breɪks/","/brəʊk/","/ˈbrəʊkən/","/ˈbreɪkɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈfræk.tʃər//🇺🇸 //ˈfræk.tʃɚ// |
| Meaning | To separate into pieces or stop working. | A break or crack in something hard. |
| Example | Please be careful not to break the glass. | The athlete suffered a fracture in his leg during the game. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | break a promise, break the news, break out, take a break, break down | hairline fracture, compound fracture, fracture site, fracture healing, fracture risk |
| Antonyms | repair, fix, build | heal, mend, unite |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'brake', the device to slow a vehicle., Using it in contexts where 'pause' or 'stop' is more appropriate., Incorrectly forming the past tense as 'breaked' instead of 'broke'. | Confused with 'fractured', the past tense form., Using 'fracture' as a verb when the noun form is required. |
| Usage notes | Used for physical objects or figurative contexts like breaking a habit. Not usually used in very formal writing or speech. | Use 'fracture' when discussing broken bones or materials. It is more commonly used in medical or technical contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Break vs Fracture
What's the difference between Break and Fracture?
Break: To separate into pieces or stop working. Fracture: A break or crack in something hard.
Which is more common: Break and Fracture?
Break is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Break: Please be careful not to break the glass. Fracture: The athlete suffered a fracture in his leg during the game.
Can I use Break and Fracture interchangeably?
Not always. Break and Fracture are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.