How to break up with someone in English

What’s up everybody? We hope you’re having a brilliant week. Have you ever wondered what people say to each other in English to end a relationship? If you have been thinking about it and are not sure what people would say, then wait no more as in today’s post we are going to teach you some very useful phrases if you ever have to end a relationship in English.

What do people say to each other?

First of all, let’s look at other ways to say to break up with someone. We can say “to dump someone”, “to end it with someone” or “to split up with someone. If we use the verb “to dump” it implies that the decisions was not mutual, whereas the verbs “to end it with someone” and “to split up with someone” imply, or have connotations, that the decision to part ways was mutual.

Now that we know how to express the idea of ending a relationship, let’s look at what people would normally say to their partner in English if they no longer wished to be together:

1 – “I don’t think this is going to work out”

With this expression, we are letting our partner know that we don’t envision a future together. Maybe our wants and needs aren’t aligned, maybe we have very different goals and dreams. Be it as it may, we don’t think it will work in the long run.

2 – “It’s over”

This is a very strong way to terminate a relationship with immediate effect. There is no doubt this is one-sided and a severe way to communicate the end of a partnership. This would generally be the situation in cases where someone has caught the other partner having an affair or betraying them.

3 – “I don’t think I am in love with you anymore”

This can seem rather brutal and to the point but generally if we are aiming for complete honesty within a relationship in order to offer our other half the respect they deserve, it can be a straight-forward way to end it.

4 – “I think I am in love with someone else”

If a partner has been having an affair and realises they have, in fact, fallen in love with their lover, this would be another honest way to break up. It might be very hurtful for your current partner, but it would also be the truth.

5 – “We’re through” / “We’re finished”

This is similar to “it’s over”. It’s very much a sole decision and would most likely be said if it is not an amicable break-up.

Classics (and clichés) that nobody really uses

English, like most languages, is no exception in enjoying certain clichés. Certain phrases and expressions are frequently cited as ways to break up with someone but in truth are never actually used.

1 – “It’s not you, it’s me”

This is something we hear a lot on American television shows and in blockbuster films but in reality it is just not a believable reason to break up a relationship without an additional explanation. Furthermore, because it is used so often on television, it almost takes away from the integrity of the sentence in itself and can come across as mocking.

2 – “Something just doesn’t feel right”

Yet another expression that we have got used to over the years but it not used in real life. We don’t recommend using this stereotypical sentences if you have to end a relationship because they come across as joking about an issue that is not amusing to your ex-partner.

Be prepared for such events

Obviously we don’t know who we are going to fall in love with until it happens but it’s nice to be prepared for every eventuality. Learning these sentences will not only give you new vocabulary but also prepare you for the end of a relationship if that happened.

If you would like to learn more everyday vocabulary

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