What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
broken
Example
I accidentally dropped the glass and it broke into many pieces. [broke: past tense]
Example
The toy is broken and needs to be fixed. [broken: adjective]
shattered
Example
The mirror fell off the wall and shattered into a thousand pieces. [shattered: past tense]
Example
Her dreams were shattered when she didn't get the job. [shattered: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Broken is a more commonly used word in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and is more versatile. Shattered is less common and tends to be used in more specific or dramatic situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between broken and shattered?
Both broken and shattered can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, broken is generally considered more neutral and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
