Cool MateEnter vs I broke in
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enter
Top 2,000 (common)A2verb
I broke in
Top 2,000 (common)
| Enter | I broke in | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈentə(r)/","/ˈentəz/","/ˈentəd/","/ˈentərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈentər/","/ˈentərz/","/ˈentərd/","/ˈentərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪ brəʊk ɪn//🇺🇸 //aɪ broʊk ɪn// |
| Meaning | to go into a place. | To enter illegally into a place. |
| Example | Please enter your password to access the account. | Last night, I broke in through the back door. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | illegally, cautiously, quickly, allow somebody/something to, permit somebody/something to, forbid somebody to, by, through, from, enter and exit, enter and leave, manually, automatically, in, into, on | break in at night, broke in through the window, broke in illegally |
| Antonyms | exit, leave | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'enter' with 'come in'. 'Come in' is more informal., Using 'enter' incorrectly with objects, e.g., 'enter the car' instead of 'get in the car'., Misusing 'enter' when referring to starting a document or form; use 'start' instead. | Confused with 'broke into' which implies more than just entering., Using 'broke in' for entering permissioned spaces., Incorrectly using the present tense; e.g., 'I break in' for past actions. |
| Usage notes | Use 'enter' when referring to going into a physical space like a room or building. Avoid using it in informal contexts like conversation with friends unless necessary. | Use 'broke in' when discussing entering a building or restricted area without permission. It's often used in crime contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Enter vs I broke in
What's the difference between Enter and I broke in?
Enter: to go into a place. I broke in: To enter illegally into a place.
Can you show an example of each?
Enter: Please enter your password to access the account. I broke in: Last night, I broke in through the back door.
Can I use Enter and I broke in interchangeably?
Not always. Enter and I broke in 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.