Cool MateBroken vs Cracked he was
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Broken
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Cracked he was
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: BrokenMost common: Broken
| Broken | Cracked he was | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈbrəʊkən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbrəʊkən/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //krækt hi wəz//🇺🇸 //krækt hi wəz// |
| Meaning | not working or damaged | he was unstable or unable to cope |
| Example | The window is broken and needs to be fixed. | After the breakup, I could tell he was really cracked he was. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, get, badly | feel cracked he was, admit cracked he was, look cracked he was |
| Antonyms | whole, intact, fixed | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'broken' with 'broke' (the past tense of 'break'), Using 'broken' in a context where 'damaged' is more appropriate, Forget to use 'broken' with a noun (e.g. 'broken car' not just 'broken') | Confused with 'cracked up' which means to laugh., Misused in formal contexts where a simpler phrase is preferred. |
| Usage notes | Use 'broken' when describing items that are not functioning or are physically damaged. It is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. | Use 'cracked he was' in casual conversations to describe someone who seems very stressed or has lost their composure. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Broken vs Cracked he was
What's the difference between Broken and Cracked he was?
Broken: not working or damaged Cracked he was: he was unstable or unable to cope
Which is more formal: Broken and Cracked he was?
Broken is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Broken and Cracked he was?
Broken is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Broken: The window is broken and needs to be fixed. Cracked he was: After the breakup, I could tell he was really cracked he was.
Can I use Broken and Cracked he was interchangeably?
Not always. Broken and Cracked he was 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.