Break up

What it means

Break up expresses four main ideas in modern English. First, it describes romantic partners ending a relationship.

Example 1 of 3

Say it like this

Carlos and Maya agreed to break up after discussing their long-term career goals.

Intransitive verb phrase describing two partners ending a romantic partnership.

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Example 2 of 3

Say it like this

The teacher decided to break the class up into pairs for the speaking activity.

Separable transitive verb phrase showing an organizer dividing a large group into…

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Example 3 of 3

Say it like this

Your voice is breaking up, so I will call you back once I leave the parking garage.

Present continuous intransitive verb phrase describing interrupted audio on a telephone…

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Good to know

Keep the two-word verb break up distinct from the single-word noun breakup. In speech, stress falls on up for the verb, but on break for the noun.

Quick check

Answer in your head. Answers next.

1. 1. Which preposition typically follows break up when dividing a project into pieces?
   • A into
   • B from
   • C toward

Answers

1. 1. intoThe preposition into connects the verb break up to the resulting smaller pieces or categories.