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Chan-Seung Lee
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
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 Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:29 pm Post subject: break free |
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1.They broke away from the national union and set up their own local organization.
2.I felt the need to break away from home.
3.She broke away from him and ran to the door.
4.Radcliffe broke away 200 meters before the finish.
5.Part of the plane's wing had broken away. |
1. In the above quotes, is it possible that 'broke away' is replaced with 'broke free'?
2. Among native speakers, which one is more frequently used, 'break away' or 'break free'?
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bud
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:45 am Post subject: |
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In my opinion, the two phrases are often synonymous. However, I'd go with "break free" in examples of escaping from more extreme control and I'd use "break away" in the mildest of cases. There are many situations where either might work well. They're both used frequently.
| Quote: |
1.They broke away from the national union and set up their own local organization.
2.I felt the need to break away from home.
3.She broke away from him and ran to the door.
4.Radcliffe broke away 200 meters before the finish.
5.Part of the plane's wing had broken away. |
1. Either, but "broke free" especially if the dispute with the national union was very bitter.
2. "Broke free" is OK if you were being abused. "Broke away" if you felt the need for independence.
3. Either would work, but again, "broke free" especially if he was holding her against her will.
4. Maybe either, but "broke free" especially if there were so many runners that it was very difficult to move through the crowd to the front.
5. Hmm... I think either might be OK there. |
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