Cool MateBreak vs Crack vs Fracture vs Shatter
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Break
Crack
Fracture
Shatter
| Break | Crack | Fracture | Shatter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/breɪk/","/breɪks/","/brəʊk/","/ˈbrəʊkən/","/ˈbreɪkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/breɪk/","/breɪks/","/brəʊk/","/ˈbrəʊkən/","/ˈbreɪkɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kræk/","/kræks/","/krækt/","/ˈkrækɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kræk/","/kræks/","/krækt/","/ˈkrækɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈfræk.tʃər//🇺🇸 //ˈfræk.tʃɚ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈʃætə(r)/","/ˈʃætəz/","/ˈʃætəd/","/ˈʃætərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈʃætər/","/ˈʃætərz/","/ˈʃætərd/","/ˈʃætərɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To separate into pieces or stop working. | to break something into pieces or make a sound like a break | A break or crack in something hard. | To break something into many small pieces. |
| Example | Please be careful not to break the glass. | He tried to crack the safe but was unsuccessful. | The athlete suffered a fracture in his leg during the game. | The glass fell from the table and shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | break a promise, break the news, break out, take a break, break down | hard, crack under the pressure, crack under the strain, show signs of cracking, on | hairline fracture, compound fracture, fracture site, fracture healing, fracture risk | completely, into, shatter (something) into pieces, completely, abruptly, instantly |
| Antonyms | repair, fix, build | fix, repair, join | heal, mend, unite | join, repair, 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'. | Using 'crack' with non-physical objects incorrectly, like 'crack a thought.', Confusing 'crack' with 'break' in certain contexts., Using 'cracked' instead of 'crack' for the present tense. | Confused with 'fractured', the past tense form., Using 'fracture' as a verb when the noun form is required. | Using 'shatter' with living things, which is not appropriate., Confusing 'shatter' with 'break', since 'shatter' implies more violence., Using 'shattered' incorrectly as a noun. |
| Usage notes | Used for physical objects or figurative contexts like breaking a habit. Not usually used in very formal writing or speech. | Use 'crack' when referring to breaking physical objects or when discussing solving puzzles or codes. It's neutral and appropriate in most contexts, both formal and informal. | Use 'fracture' when discussing broken bones or materials. It is more commonly used in medical or technical contexts. | Use 'shatter' when talking about glass or similar materials breaking. Avoid using it for things that break in a less dramatic way, like paper. |
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Frequently asked questions: Break vs Crack vs Fracture vs Shatter
What's the difference between Break, Crack, Fracture, and Shatter?
Break: To separate into pieces or stop working. Crack: to break something into pieces or make a sound like a break Fracture: A break or crack in something hard. Shatter: To break something into many small pieces.
Which is more advanced: Break, Crack, Fracture, and Shatter?
Shatter is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Break: Please be careful not to break the glass. Crack: He tried to crack the safe but was unsuccessful. Fracture: The athlete suffered a fracture in his leg during the game. Shatter: The glass fell from the table and shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.
Can I use Break, Crack, Fracture, and Shatter interchangeably?
Not always. Break, Crack, Fracture, and Shatter 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.