Break vs Crack vs Fracture vs Shatter

Quand utiliser chacun en anglais, avec le sens, le registre et des exemples.

Break

Top 1000 (très courant)A1verb

Crack

Top 1000 (très courant)B2verb

Fracture

Top 2000 (courant)

Shatter

Top 2000 (courant)C1verb
 BreakCrackFractureShatter
Prononciation🇬🇧 /["/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/"]/
SensTo separate into pieces or stop working.to break something into pieces or make a sound like a breakA break or crack in something hard.To break something into many small pieces.
ExemplePlease 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.
RegistreNeutreNeutreNeutreNeutre
FréquenceTop 1000 (très courant)Top 1000 (très courant)Top 2000 (courant)Top 2000 (courant)
Niveau CEFRA1B2-C1
Nature grammaticaleverbverbverb
Collocationsbreak a promise, break the news, break out, take a break, break downhard, crack under the pressure, crack under the strain, show signs of cracking, onhairline fracture, compound fracture, fracture site, fracture healing, fracture riskcompletely, into, shatter (something) into pieces, completely, abruptly, instantly
Antonymesrepair, fix, buildfix, repair, joinheal, mend, unitejoin, repair, unite
Erreurs fréquentesConfused 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.
Notes d'usageUsed 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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Break
Fracture

Questions fréquentes : Break vs Crack vs Fracture vs Shatter

Quelle est la différence entre Break, Crack, Fracture et 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.

Lequel est le plus avancé : Break, Crack, Fracture et Shatter ?

Shatter est le niveau le plus élevé, à C1, sur l'échelle CEFR.

Peux-tu montrer un exemple de chacun ?

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.

Puis-je utiliser Break, Crack, Fracture et Shatter de façon interchangeable ?

Pas toujours. Break, Crack, Fracture et Shatter sont proches et se recoupent parfois, mais elles diffèrent par le registre, la fréquence et l'usage, donc remplacer l'une par l'autre peut changer le sens ou le ton. Regarde les différences ci-dessus avant de substituer.

Comparaisons associées