Understanding the nuances of words that describe something being in good condition is crucial for effective communication. The English language offers a rich vocabulary to express the idea of “not broken,” each with subtle differences in meaning and usage.
This article delves into the various ways to convey the opposite of “broken,” exploring synonyms, their specific contexts, and grammatical rules. Whether you’re an ESL learner, a student honing your writing skills, or simply someone interested in expanding their vocabulary, this guide will provide a comprehensive understanding of this important aspect of English grammar.
This article will equip you with the knowledge to use these words accurately and confidently, enhancing both your written and spoken English. We will examine the different categories of words, provide numerous examples, and offer practical exercises to solidify your understanding.
Let’s embark on this journey to master the art of describing things that are “not broken.”
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition: Exploring the Opposite of “Broken”
- Structural Breakdown: Grammar and Word Formation
- Types and Categories of Words Meaning “Not Broken”
- Examples: Usage in Context
- Usage Rules: Ensuring Grammatical Accuracy
- Common Mistakes: Avoiding Pitfalls
- Practice Exercises: Testing Your Knowledge
- Advanced Topics: Nuances and Idiomatic Expressions
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition: Exploring the Opposite of “Broken”
The opposite of “broken” is not a single word but rather a range of words that describe something as being in a complete, functional, or undamaged state. These words can be classified based on their specific connotations and the context in which they are used.
Generally, they fall into categories describing physical integrity, functionality, or restoration.
The primary function of these words is to negate the idea of damage, malfunction, or incompleteness. They serve to assure the listener or reader that an object or system is in proper working order or has not suffered any harm.
The choice of which word to use depends on the specific situation and the desired emphasis.
Consider a vase, for example. If it has never been damaged, we might describe it as intact or undamaged. If it had been broken and then repaired, we would describe it as repaired or fixed. If we are concerned about its ability to hold water, we might describe it as functional. The context dictates the most appropriate term.
Structural Breakdown: Grammar and Word Formation
Understanding the grammatical structure of words meaning “not broken” involves examining their parts of speech, common prefixes and suffixes, and how they function within sentences. Many of these words are adjectives, modifying nouns to describe their state.
Others are verbs, indicating the action of restoring something to a functional state. Some are nouns, representing the state of being undamaged or functional.
Common prefixes used to indicate the opposite of a negative condition include “un-” and “in-“. For example, “undamaged” uses “un-” to negate the idea of damage.
“Intact” uses “in-” to suggest completeness or wholeness. Suffixes such as “-ed” are commonly used to form adjectives, as in “repaired” and “fixed.”
The grammatical function of these words is primarily descriptive. They provide information about the condition of a noun.
For example, in the sentence “The vase is intact,” the adjective “intact” describes the state of the vase. Similarly, in the sentence “The mechanic repaired the car,” the verb “repaired” indicates the action performed on the car.
Types and Categories of Words Meaning “Not Broken”
Let’s explore several key words and phrases that convey the idea of something being “not broken,” categorized by their specific nuances:
Intact
Intact implies that something is complete and has not been damaged or altered in any way. It suggests a state of perfect preservation.
Example: The ancient manuscript was found intact after centuries buried underground.
Undamaged
Undamaged simply means that something has not suffered any harm or injury. It is a more general term than “intact” and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
Example: Despite the hurricane, the house remained undamaged.
Functional
Functional describes something that is working correctly and serving its intended purpose. It focuses on the ability of an object or system to perform its function.
Example: The old computer is still functional, even though it’s slow.
Repaired
Repaired indicates that something was previously broken or damaged but has been restored to a working condition. It implies a process of fixing or mending.
Example: The watch was repaired by a skilled craftsman.
Sound
Sound suggests that something is in good condition and free from defects. It is often used to describe structures or systems that are reliable and sturdy.
Example: The bridge is structurally sound and safe for traffic.
Whole
Whole means complete and not divided or broken into parts. It emphasizes the integrity and unity of an object.
Example: She ate the whole apple without cutting it.
Fixed
Fixed means that something that was broken or not working properly has been repaired. It’s similar to “repaired,” but often implies a simpler or more straightforward repair.
Example: He fixed the leaky faucet in the bathroom.
Examples: Usage in Context
The following tables provide examples of how these words are used in different contexts. Each table focuses on a specific word and offers a variety of sentences to illustrate its usage.
Consider the subtle differences in meaning and how the context influences the choice of words.
The following table provides examples of how the word “intact” is used in various sentences.
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| The ancient tomb was discovered with all its artifacts intact. | Archaeology |
| The package arrived intact, despite the long journey. | Shipping |
| Her reputation remained intact after the scandal. | Social Standing |
| The glass vase fell but miraculously remained intact. | Accident |
| The original manuscript was preserved intact for centuries. | History |
| The ship’s hull remained intact after hitting the iceberg. | Maritime |
| His memory of the event was still intact after many years. | Cognition |
| The delicate ecosystem remained intact despite human encroachment. | Environment |
| The artist’s vision for the project remained intact throughout the process. | Art |
| The company’s financial stability remained intact during the recession. | Business |
| Despite the earthquake, the building’s structure remained intact. | Construction |
| The antique furniture was found in the attic, surprisingly intact. | Antiques |
| The family’s traditions remained intact across generations. | Culture |
| The legal contract remained intact and binding. | Law |
| The team’s morale remained intact despite the losing streak. | Sports |
| The natural beauty of the landscape remained intact. | Nature |
| The secret was kept intact for many years. | Confidentiality |
| The original recipe remained intact, passed down through the family. | Culinary |
| The prisoner’s spirit remained intact despite the harsh conditions. | Resilience |
| The experimental data remained intact and uncorrupted. | Science |
| The historic town center remained remarkably intact after the war. | History |
| The astronaut’s suit kept him intact in the vacuum of space. | Space Exploration |
| The artist’s original vision for the mural remained intact. | Art |
| The delicate ecosystem of the rainforest remained intact. | Ecology |
| The company’s reputation for quality remained intact over the years. | Business |
The following table demonstrates the usage of “undamaged” in various contexts.
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| The car was surprisingly undamaged after the minor collision. | Accident |
| The shipment arrived undamaged, much to our relief. | Shipping |
| The antique furniture was found undamaged in the attic. | Antiques |
| Despite the storm, the crops remained largely undamaged. | Agriculture |
| The painting was carefully transported and arrived undamaged. | Art |
| The phone was dropped, but thankfully the screen was undamaged. | Technology |
| The house stood undamaged after the earthquake. | Natural Disaster |
| The fragile package was handled with care and arrived undamaged. | Delivery |
| The books were returned to the library undamaged. | Library |
| The delicate glassware was packed carefully and arrived undamaged. | Household |
| The electronic equipment remained undamaged after the power surge. | Electronics |
| The historical documents were preserved undamaged for future generations. | History |
| The prototype remained undamaged during testing. | Engineering |
| The delicate surgical instruments came back undamaged from the operation. | Medicine |
| The computer was undamaged by the virus. | Technology |
| He was undamaged from the accident. | Personal Safety |
| The toys were undamaged after being thrown around. | Children |
| The merchandise was undamaged after being shipped across the country. | Commerce |
| The old photographs were undamaged and still clear. | History |
| The artwork remained undamaged through the renovation. | Art |
| The luggage was undamaged after the flight. | Travel |
| The plants were undamaged in their pots. | Gardening |
| The valuable coins were undamaged in the vault. | Finance |
| The telescope was undamaged on the mountaintop. | Science |
The following table provides examples of how “functional” is applied in different situations.
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| The old car is still functional, despite its age. | Automotive |
| The website is now fully functional after the update. | Technology |
| The emergency generator is functional in case of a power outage. | Emergency Preparedness |
| The kitchen appliances are all functional and ready to use. | Household |
| The new software is finally functional and bug-free. | Software Development |
| Despite the damage, the machine is still partially functional. | Engineering |
| The hospital’s equipment must be fully functional at all times. | Healthcare |
| The government needs to be functional to serve its people. | Politics |
| The school is functional and provides a good education. | Education |
| The solar panels are functional and producing electricity. | Renewable Energy |
| The fire alarm system is functional and ready to alert residents. | Safety |
| The drainage system is functional, preventing flooding. | Infrastructure |
| The irrigation system is functional and watering the crops. | Agriculture |
| The communication network is functional across the country. | Telecommunications |
| The transportation system is functional, ensuring mobility. | Urban Planning |
| The security system is functional and protecting the building. | Security |
| The recycling program is functional, reducing waste. | Environmentalism |
| The voting system is functional and ensuring fair elections. | Politics |
| The training is functional and helps employees improve their skills. | Business |
| The program is functional and gives people the education they need. | Education |
| The old factory is still functional. | Industry |
| The new design is very functional. | Design |
| The new system is functional, so we can start. | Workflow |
The following table contains sentences using the word “repaired.”
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| The broken bicycle was repaired by a local mechanic. | Repair Services |
| The damaged road was repaired by the construction crew. | Infrastructure |
| The antique clock was carefully repaired to its original condition. | Antiques |
| The torn fabric was skillfully repaired by the tailor. | Textiles |
| The leaky roof was repaired to prevent further water damage. | Home Improvement |
| The old painting was repaired and restored to its former glory. | Art Conservation |
| The computer system was repaired after the virus attack. | Technology |
| The damaged bridge was repaired to ensure safe passage. | Civil Engineering |
| The broken toy was repaired by her loving father. | Family |
| The old engine was repaired and is now running smoothly. | Mechanical Engineering |
| The hole in the wall was repaired and painted over. | Home Renovation |
| The relationships were repaired after the argument. | Relationships |
| The phone was repaired after the screen broke. | Electronics |
| The old car was repaired after the crash. | Automotive |
| The system was repaired after it failed. | Technology |
| The watch was repaired and running again. | Accessories |
| The chair was repaired and looked new. | Furniture |
| The machine was repaired and back to work. | Industry |
| The boat was repaired and ready to sail. | Recreation |
| The damage was repaired with care. | Restoration |
The following table contains sentences using the word “sound.”
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| The building’s structure is sound and safe for occupancy. | Construction |
| The company’s financial foundation is sound, ensuring long-term stability. | Business |
| The doctor confirmed that my heart is sound. | Healthcare |
| The bridge is structurally sound and can handle heavy traffic. | Civil Engineering |
| The legal argument was sound and convinced the judge. | Law |
| The advice he gave was sound and helped me make the right decision. | Guidance |
| The old tree, though weathered, is still sound. | Nature |
| The investment strategy is sound and likely to yield good returns. | Finance |
| The theory is based on sound evidence and research. | Science |
| The foundation of the house is sound, ensuring its durability. | Real Estate |
| The patient’s lungs were sound after the operation. | Medicine |
| The business plan was sound and well-thought-out. | Business |
| The reasoning was sound and convincing. | Argumentation |
| The construction of the building was sound. | Construction |
| The body was sound and healthy. | Wellness |
| The data was sound and reliable. | Analytics |
| The thinking was sound in the situation. | Judgment |
| The ship was sound and seaworthy. | Maritime |
Usage Rules: Ensuring Grammatical Accuracy
Using these words correctly requires attention to grammatical rules and contextual appropriateness. Here are some key guidelines:
- Adjective Placement: Adjectives like “intact,” “undamaged,” “functional,” and “sound” typically precede the noun they modify (e.g., “the intact vase”) or follow a linking verb (e.g., “the vase is intact”).
- Verb Tense: Verbs like “repaired” and “fixed” must agree with the subject and the appropriate tense (e.g., “he repaired the car” – past tense).
- Contextual Nuances: Choose the word that best reflects the specific situation. “Intact” emphasizes completeness, while “functional” emphasizes working order.
- Formal vs. Informal: Some words may be more appropriate for formal writing than informal speech. For instance, “intact” might be preferred in a formal report, while “fixed” is common in everyday conversation.
Common Mistakes: Avoiding Pitfalls
Here are some common errors to watch out for:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The vase is fix. | The vase is fixed. | “Fixed” is an adjective in this context, requiring the “-ed” ending. |
| The car is intacted. | The car is intact. | “Intact” is already an adjective and does not need the “-ed” ending. |
| The machine is function. | The machine is functional. | “Functional” is the correct adjective form. |
| The house was undamage. | The house was undamaged. | “Undamaged” requires the “-d” ending to be grammatically correct. |
Practice Exercises: Testing Your Knowledge
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word from the list: intact, undamaged, functional, repaired, sound, whole, fixed.
Exercise 1
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Despite the accident, the driver was __________. | undamaged |
| 2. The old clock was ___________ and now works perfectly. | repaired |
| 3. The package arrived ___________, with no signs of tampering. | intact |
| 4. The bridge is structurally __________ and safe for traffic. | sound |
| 5. Even though it’s old, the computer is still ___________. | functional |
| 6. She ate the __________ pizza by herself. | whole |
| 7. He __________ the leaky faucet in the bathroom. | fixed |
| 8. The antique vase was still __________ after the move. | intact |
| 9. The system was __________ after the crash. | repaired |
| 10. The building was __________ after the huricane. | sound |
Exercise 2
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The antique car was found __________ in the garage. | intact |
| 2. The machine was __________ after the technician worked on it. | functional |
| 3. The __________ truth was revealed at trial. | whole |
| 4. The old house was __________ after the renovation. | sound |
| 5. The toy was __________ after the child broke it. | fixed |
| 6. The painting was __________ during shipping. | undamaged |
| 7. The watch was __________ after the jeweler worked on it. | repaired |
| 8. The system was __________ and ready to use. | functional |
| 9. The original design was __________. | intact |
| 10. The construction was __________ and safe. | sound |
Advanced Topics: Nuances and Idiomatic Expressions
For advanced learners, understanding idiomatic expressions and subtle nuances is key. For example, the phrase “good as new” implies that something has been restored to a like-new condition, even if it was previously damaged.
Similarly, “in good repair” suggests that something is well-maintained and functional. These expressions add color and depth to your language skills.
Consider also the use of figurative language. We might say that someone’s spirit is “intact” after a difficult experience, meaning that their resilience and inner strength remain unbroken.
These metaphorical uses of language demonstrate the versatility of these words.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What’s the difference between “intact” and “undamaged”?
A: “Intact” implies a state of completeness and perfect preservation, while “undamaged” simply means that something has not suffered any harm. “Intact” is a stronger term suggesting a pristine condition, whereas “undamaged” is more general.
- Q: When should I use “functional” instead of “repaired”?
A: Use “functional” when you want to emphasize that something is working correctly and serving its intended purpose. Use “repaired” when you want to highlight that something was previously broken or damaged and has been restored to a working condition. If something was never broken, “functional” is appropriate if you are describing its ability to perform its task.
- Q: Is “sound” only used for physical structures?
A: No, “sound” can also be used to describe abstract concepts, such as a “sound argument” or a “sound financial plan.” In these cases, it means that something is reliable, well-reasoned, and free from flaws.
- Q: Can “fixed” and “repaired” be used interchangeably?
A: Yes, in many cases, “fixed” and “repaired” can be used interchangeably. However, “fixed” often implies a simpler or more straightforward repair, while “repaired” might suggest a more extensive or complex process.
- Q: What is the opposite of “partially broken”?
A: The opposite of “partially broken” could be “fully functional,” “completely intact,” or “entirely repaired,” depending on the context. If something was partially broken but is working now, “fully functional” is a good choice. If something was partially broken and is now like new, “completely intact” might be more suitable. If the focus is on the act of restoring, “entirely repaired” is appropriate.
- Q: How can I improve my vocabulary related to this topic?
A: Read widely, paying attention to how different words are used in context. Use a thesaurus to explore synonyms and their nuances. Practice writing and speaking, incorporating these words into your everyday communication. Consider exploring technical manuals or repair guides related to your hobbies or profession, as these often use precise language to describe the condition and repair of objects.
- Q: Are there any regional differences in the usage of these words?
A: While the core meanings of these words are generally consistent across different English-speaking regions, there might be slight variations in colloquial usage or preferred terms. For example, in some regions, “mended” might be used more frequently than “repaired.” Pay attention to the language used by native speakers in your region to gain a better understanding of local preferences.
- Q: What are some more formal alternatives to “fixed”?
A: More formal alternatives to “fixed” include “repaired,” “restored,” “rectified,” or “remedied,” depending on the specific context. “Restored” implies returning something to its original condition, while “rectified” suggests correcting an error or problem. “Remedied” implies providing a solution to a problem.
Conclusion
Mastering the vocabulary related to the opposite of “broken” is essential for clear and effective communication. By understanding the nuances of words like intact, undamaged, functional, repaired, and sound, you can express yourself with greater precision and confidence. Remember to consider the context, grammatical rules, and subtle differences in meaning when choosing the right word.
Continue to practice using these words in your writing and speaking, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different expressions. The more you use these words, the more natural they will become.
With dedication and attention to detail, you can significantly enhance your English language skills and communicate your ideas with clarity and impact. Embrace the richness of the English language and enjoy the journey of learning!