B1 Prepositions 12 min read Medium

Understanding 'Break down' (Stopping & Explaining)

Master break down for clear explanations and talking about unexpected failures.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

'Break down' means a machine stops working, a person loses emotional control, or a complex idea is explained simply.

  • Use it for mechanical failures like cars or computers: 'My laptop broke down.'
  • Use it for emotional moments: 'She broke down in tears during the movie.'
  • Use it to simplify information: 'Can you break down the costs for me?'
🚗/😭/📊 + break + down = 🛑/💡

Overview

'Break down' is a very important word. It has two meanings.

First, something stops working. Second, you make big things small.

Learn these to speak better English. It helps you talk clearly.

How This Grammar Works

The word uses 'break' and 'down'. It means change or failure.
The first major meaning is to stop functioning or to fail. This applies to mechanical devices, systems, processes, and even emotional states. It signifies an involuntary shift from operational to non-operational.
It can mean stop. For example, your car stops working.
It also means to cry. You feel very sad.
The second meaning is to make things easy and small.
Teachers make hard lessons easy. You plan small tasks.

Formation Pattern

1
Word order is important. It depends on the meaning.
2
When things stop working, keep the two words together.
3
| How to use | Example | Meaning |
4
| :-------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ | :---------------------------------------------- |
5
| Subject + break down (Intransitive) | My old washing machine broke down last week. | The machine ceased to function. |
6
| | Talks between the unions broke down late yesterday. | Negotiations failed. |
7
| Subject + break down + [Object] | The stress caused her to break down completely. | She had an emotional collapse. |
8
When you explain things, you can split the words.
9
| Using a name | Example | Meaning |
10
| :----------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
11
| break + name + down | Break the work down. | Split it. |
12
| break down + name | Break down the work. | Split it. |
13
Both ways are good. Put long names at the end.
14
Always put words like 'it' or 'them' in the middle.
15
| Using 'it' or 'them' | Example | Meaning |
16
| :---------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------ |
17
| break + it + down | Break it down. | Make it simple. |
18
| | We need to break them down into smaller groups. | Divide the people. |
19
| Wrong: | Break down it. | This is not correct. |
20
Put 'it' in the middle. For names, choose any way.

When To Use It

This word is very useful. It helps you speak naturally.
1. To Stop Functioning / Fail:
Use this meaning for the unexpected failure of machines, systems, or non-living entities, or for a person's emotional collapse.
  • Mechanical/Technological Failure: When a device, vehicle, or computer system ceases operation.
  • Our server broke down during the busiest hour. (System failure)
  • My new phone broke down after only a month. (Device malfunction)
  • System/Process Failure: When negotiations or processes reach an impasse or collapse.
  • Peace talks broke down over territorial claims. (Negotiation failure)
  • The old filing system finally broke down. (Process collapse)
  • Emotional/Mental Collapse: To describe a person losing emotional control, often by crying.
  • He broke down when he saw the damage to his home. (Emotional distress)
  • She just broke down during the presentation. (Mental and emotional collapse)
2. To Divide, Analyze, or Simplify:
Use this to explain hard things. It makes ideas simple.
  • Simplifying Information/Concepts: To make complex topics easier to understand.
  • The professor broke down complex economic theories. (Clarifying concepts)
  • Could you break it down for me? (Request for simplification)
  • Dividing Tasks/Projects: When a large undertaking needs segmentation into actionable steps.
  • We need to break down the renovation project into milestones. (Project management)
  • Let's break down the budget to identify expenses. (Financial analysis)
  • Analysis/Categorization: To separate data or information into categories for detailed examination.
  • The report breaks down sales figures by region. (Data segmentation)
  • Please break them down by age group. (Statistical analysis)
In informal digital communication, break it down is a quick request for simplification: This spreadsheet is confusing. Can you break it down?

When Not To Use It

Using it wrong is bad. Learn the right way.
Do not use break down to refer to:
  • Breaking small, physical objects intentionally: For deliberately snapping a pencil or smashing a plate, use break, smash, snap, or shatter.
  • Incorrect: I broke down the glass.
  • Correct: I broke the glass.
  • Breaking a promise or a law: Use specific verbs like break or fail.
  • Incorrect: He broke down his promise.
  • Correct: He broke his promise.
  • Breaking a bone or a record: The simple verb break is almost always used.
  • Incorrect: The runner broke down the world record.
  • Correct: The runner broke the world record.
  • The collapse of a building or structure: Use collapse or fall apart.
  • Incorrect: The old factory broke down.
  • Correct: The old factory collapsed.
  • Simply reducing quantity or size without implying failure or analytical division: For cutting a cake, use cut up or slice. For reducing numbers, use reduce.
  • Incorrect: Please break down the number of participants. (Unless analyzing by category).
  • Correct: Please reduce the number of participants.
Think first. Does it stop? Or is it a simple idea?

Common Mistakes

Students often make mistakes with 'break down'. These rules help you.
  1. 1Confusing the Two Meanings: The most fundamental error is using one meaning when the other is intended.
  • Mistake: The team broke down the project last week, so now it's stopped. (Implies failure, but "broke down" here likely means they analyzed it.)
  • Correction: The team broke down the project last week, so now they understand the tasks. (Meaning: simplified/divided)
  • Correction for intended meaning: The project broke down last week due to lack of funding. (Meaning: failed/stopped)
  • Why it's wrong: Misapplying the meanings leads to complete miscommunication. Context is key.
  1. 1Incorrect Separability with Pronouns: A very common grammatical error. Pronouns must go between the verb and the particle when break down is separable.
  • Mistake: Can you break down it for me?
  • Correction: Can you break it down for me?
  • Why it's wrong: This violates the strict rule for separable phrasal verbs with pronoun objects. English prefers the unstressed pronoun earlier.
  1. 1Using break down for general physical damage: Learners sometimes overextend the "stop functioning" meaning to simple instances of breaking.
  • Mistake: I accidentally broke down my pen.
  • Correction: I accidentally broke my pen.
  • Why it's wrong: Break down for objects implies a failure of complex internal mechanisms, not simple physical breakage. A pen breaks, a car breaks down.
  1. 1Incorrect Tense Usage: Like all verbs, break down conjugates. Remember the irregular past tense of break (broke) and past participle (broken).
  • Mistake: My computer breaked down yesterday.
  • Correction: My computer broke down yesterday.
  • Mistake: The information has been breaked down.
  • Correction: The information has been broken down.
  • Why it's wrong: Break is an irregular verb (break, broke, broken), and break down follows this pattern.

Common Collocations

Learn words that go with 'break down'. This helps you speak well.
1. With break down (To Stop Functioning / Fail):
  • Vehicles/Machinery:
  • car break down
  • computer break down
  • system break down
  • Processes/Abstract Concepts:
  • negotiations break down
  • communication break down
  • relationship break down
  • Emotional States:
  • break down in tears
  • break down emotionally
Examples in use:
  • My old car broke down on the way to work.
  • The negotiations broke down after hours of disagreement.
  • She tends to break down emotionally under pressure.
2. With break down (To Divide, Analyze, or Simplify):
  • Information/Concepts:
  • break down information
  • break down data
  • break down a concept
  • break down a problem
  • break down a report
  • Tasks/Projects:
  • break down a project
  • break down tasks
  • For clarity/understanding:
  • break down into parts
  • break down for understanding
These word pairs help you. You will sound more natural.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Learn how 'break down' is different from other words.
1. Break down vs. Break up:
  • Break down (failure/analysis): Focuses on internal functional failure or analytical division.
  • The elevator broke down again. (Failed mechanically)
  • Let's break down the budget. (Analyze parts)
  • Break up (separation/ending a relationship/disintegration): Primarily refers to the ending of a relationship, physical separation of a group, or something physically falling into pieces.
  • John and Sarah broke up last month. (Ended relationship)
  • The police broke up the fight. (Separated participants)
  • Key Distinction: Break down implies internal functional failure for objects; break up implies literal physical separation or termination of a social bond.
2. Break down (simplify) vs. Explain / Clarify / Analyze:
  • Break down (simplify/analyze): Implies dissecting something complex into simpler components to aid understanding. It often suggests a systematic process.
  • I can break down the scientific article for you. (Simplify the complex parts)
  • Explain: Means to make something clear or understandable by describing it in detail. A more general term.
  • Can you explain why the experiment failed? (Provide reasons)
  • Clarify: Means to make something clearer by removing confusion.
  • The manager asked me to clarify my statement. (Make it less ambiguous)
  • Analyze: Means to examine something in detail, for explanation and interpretation. Break down is often a step within analysis.
  • The scientists will analyze the samples. (Detailed examination)
  • Key Distinction: Break down is often the method of explanation, focusing on deconstruction. Explain and clarify are the goals.
3. Break down (fail) vs. Stop working / Malfunction / Fail:
  • Break down (fail): Often implies a significant, unexpected, or complete failure of a system or machine, requiring repair. It conveys strong disruption.
  • My refrigerator broke down last night. (Significant failure)
  • Stop working: A more general, neutral term. Can be temporary or permanent.
  • The light bulb stopped working. (Could be a simple fuse)
  • Malfunction: Suggests a partial or intermittent failure, not necessarily a complete cessation.
  • The software is malfunctioning. (Working incorrectly)
  • Fail: The most general term for not succeeding. Break down is a specific type of failure for systems/machines.
  • The plan failed completely. (Did not achieve objective)
  • Key Distinction: Break down often denotes a more definitive, usually mechanical, and disruptive cessation of operation compared to the broader terms.

Quick FAQ

Here are simple answers to questions about 'break down'.
  • Is break down formal or informal? Both. The "fail" meaning is common in all registers. The "simplify" meaning is frequently used in professional, academic, and casual contexts.
  • Can break down be used for people failing at a task? No. A person breaks down emotionally, but a plan or project breaks down (fails), not the person.
  • Does break down always mean something negative? The "fail" meaning is negative. The "simplify/analyze" meaning is positive, leading to understanding.
  • What's the difference between break down and fall apart? Fall apart usually refers to something physically disintegrating or a person becoming emotionally distraught. Break down (for objects) means internal mechanical failure; (for emotions) it overlaps with fall apart emotionally. Fall apart for a plan implies general disorganization and collapse, less specific than break down's operational failure.
  • Can I use break down for a person's health declining? No. Use health is deteriorating or failing. Break down implies a more sudden and complete functional stop.
  • Is breakdown (one word) related? Yes, the noun breakdown refers to a mechanical failure (car breakdown), an emotional collapse (mental breakdown), or an analysis/classification (a breakdown of costs).

Conjugating 'Break Down'

Tense Subject Form Example
Present Simple
I / You / We / They
break down
They break down often.
Present Simple
He / She / It
breaks down
The car breaks down.
Past Simple
All subjects
broke down
It broke down yesterday.
Present Continuous
All subjects
am/is/are breaking down
It is breaking down now.
Present Perfect
All subjects
have/has broken down
It has broken down.
Future (Will)
All subjects
will break down
It will break down soon.
Gerund
N/A
breaking down
Breaking down is hard.

Contractions with 'Break Down'

Full Form Contraction Usage
It does not break down
It doesn't break down
Common in speech
It did not break down
It didn't break down
Common in speech
It has broken down
It's broken down
Note: 's can be 'is' or 'has'

Meanings

A versatile phrasal verb used to describe mechanical failure, emotional collapse, or the process of dividing information into smaller parts.

1

Mechanical Failure

To stop functioning or working properly, usually referring to a machine or vehicle.

“Our old washing machine finally broke down yesterday.”

“If your car breaks down on the highway, stay inside and call for help.”

2

Emotional Collapse

To lose control of one's emotions and start crying or become very upset.

“He broke down when he heard the sad news.”

“I almost broke down during the presentation because I was so nervous.”

3

Analysis/Explanation

To divide something into smaller parts to make it easier to understand or calculate.

“Let me break down the project into five simple steps.”

“The accountant broke the expenses down by category.”

4

Decomposition

To decay or be separated into constituent parts through a chemical or biological process.

“Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down in the ocean.”

“Bacteria help break down organic matter in the soil.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Understanding 'Break down' (Stopping & Explaining)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative (Intransitive)
Subject + break down
The truck broke down.
Negative (Intransitive)
Subject + do not + break down
The engine didn't break down.
Question (Intransitive)
Do + Subject + break down?
Did your phone break down?
Affirmative (Transitive)
Subject + break + Object + down
He broke the news down.
Affirmative (Transitive)
Subject + break down + Object
He broke down the news.
Pronoun (Transitive)
Subject + break + it/them + down
Please break it down.
Passive Voice
Object + be + broken down
The costs were broken down.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Could you please provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditures?

Could you please provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditures? (Business/Finance)

Neutral
Can you break down the costs for me?

Can you break down the costs for me? (Business/Finance)

Informal
Break it down for me—how much are we spending?

Break it down for me—how much are we spending? (Business/Finance)

Slang
Give me the lowdown on the bill.

Give me the lowdown on the bill. (Business/Finance)

The Three Faces of 'Break Down'

Break Down

Mechanical

  • Car The car stopped.
  • Machine The factory stopped.

Emotional

  • Crying Losing control.
  • Upset Feeling overwhelmed.

Analytical

  • Simplify Make it easy.
  • Divide Split into parts.

Break Down vs. Break Up

Break Down
Car failure My car broke down.
Explain Break it down for me.
Break Up
End relationship They broke up.
Signal loss You're breaking up.

Is it Separable?

1

Are you explaining something?

YES
Yes, it's transitive.
NO
No, it's likely a failure (intransitive).
2

Are you using a pronoun (it/them)?

YES
Put it in the middle: 'Break it down'.
NO
Put the object anywhere: 'Break down the costs' or 'Break the costs down'.

Common Objects for 'Break Down'

⚙️

Machines

  • • Car
  • • Elevator
  • • Computer
📝

Information

  • • Costs
  • • Steps
  • • Data
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Examples by Level

1

My car broke down.

2

The bus breaks down every week.

3

Did the computer break down?

4

It did not break down.

1

She broke down when she lost her keys.

2

The washing machine is breaking down.

3

Don't break down; everything will be fine.

4

Our heater broke down in the winter.

1

Can you break down the bill for me?

2

I will break it down into three parts.

3

The negotiations broke down after two hours.

4

He broke the complex instructions down.

1

The report breaks down the demographics of the city.

2

If the cooling system breaks down, the reactor will overheat.

3

She completely broke down after the long trial.

4

We need to break down these social barriers.

1

The peace talks have unfortunately broken down.

2

The enzyme is responsible for breaking down fats.

3

Let's break down the data to see where we're losing money.

4

The communication broke down due to a lack of trust.

1

The sheer scale of the tragedy caused the witness to break down on the stand.

2

The metabolic process breaks down complex carbohydrates into glucose.

3

A granular breakdown of the quarterly earnings revealed several anomalies.

4

The rule of law began to break down during the civil unrest.

Easily Confused

Understanding 'Break down' (Stopping & Explaining) vs Break down vs. Break up

Both involve things ending or separating. Learners often use 'break up' for cars.

Understanding 'Break down' (Stopping & Explaining) vs Break down vs. Break in

Both use the verb 'break' with a preposition.

Understanding 'Break down' (Stopping & Explaining) vs Break down (Verb) vs. Breakdown (Noun)

Learners often use the noun form as a verb or vice versa.

Common Mistakes

✗

My car breaked down.

✓

My car broke down.

Break is an irregular verb.
✗

The car is break down.

✓

The car is broken down.

Use the past participle 'broken' as an adjective.
✗

I break down the car.

✓

My car broke down.

The mechanical sense is intransitive; the car does it to itself.
✗

Break down it.

✓

Break it down.

Pronouns must go between the verb and the particle.
✗

She broke down in cry.

✓

She broke down in tears.

The fixed expression is 'in tears' or 'crying'.
✗

The meeting broke down.

✓

The meeting broke up.

Use 'break up' for ending a meeting; 'break down' means it failed.
✗

I had a break down.

✓

I had a breakdown.

The noun is one word, no space.
✗

Break down to me the costs.

✓

Break down the costs for me.

We break something down *for* someone, not *to* them.
✗

The negotiations broke up.

✓

The negotiations broke down.

Negotiations 'break down' when they fail to reach an agreement.
✗

He broke down the door.

✓

He broke the door down.

While 'break down the door' is grammatically okay, it means physical destruction, not analysis.
✗

The body breaks down of sugar.

✓

The body breaks down sugar.

No preposition 'of' is needed after 'break down'.

Sentence Patterns

My ___ broke down yesterday.

Can you break down ___ for me?

She broke down in ___ when she heard the news.

The negotiations broke down because ___.

Real World Usage

Roadside Assistance common

My car broke down on the M1, I need a tow truck.

Business Meeting very common

Let's break down the quarterly targets by region.

Therapy/Counseling occasional

It's natural to break down when you're under this much stress.

Science Lab common

How long does it take for this chemical to break down?

Texting a Friend very common

My phone keeps breaking down, I need a new one.

Cooking Show occasional

We're going to break down this whole chicken into parts.

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💡

The Pronoun Rule

Always put 'it' or 'them' in the middle. Say 'Break it down,' never 'Break down it.'
⚠️

Don't 'Break Up' Your Car

Remember that 'break up' is for relationships. If you say your car 'broke up,' people might think it exploded or fell into pieces!
🎯

Use 'Breakdown' as a Noun

In business, ask for 'a breakdown' of the costs. It sounds very professional and precise.
💬

Emotional Sensitivity

When someone 'breaks down,' it's a very strong emotional state. Use it with empathy.

Smart Tips

Instead of saying 'I will explain this,' say 'I will break this down for you.'

I will explain the new strategy. → I will break down the new strategy for you.

Always put the pronoun in the middle of 'break' and 'down'.

Can you break down it? → Can you break it down?

Use 'broke down' for the event and 'is broken' for the state.

My car is breaking down yesterday. → My car broke down yesterday.

Use 'breakdown' as a noun to describe a list of items.

Here is the list of costs. → Here is a breakdown of the costs.

Pronunciation

break DOWN

Stress Pattern

In the phrasal verb, the stress is usually on the particle 'down'.

BREAK-down

Noun vs Verb Stress

In the noun 'breakdown', the stress is on the first syllable.

Rising on 'down'

Did it break DOWN? ↗

Asking a yes/no question about a failure.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

B.R.E.A.K. Down: Bad Radiator Ends All Karting (Mechanical) / Big Reveal Explains All Knowledge (Analytical).

Visual Association

Imagine a large Lego castle. If it 'breaks down' (mechanical), it falls into a pile of bricks. If you 'break it down' (analytical), you are taking it apart brick by brick to show someone how it was built.

Rhyme

When the car won't go, it's a breakdown show. When the math is tough, break it down—that's the stuff!

Story

Once, a scientist's car broke down in the desert. He broke down in tears because he was stranded. Then, he decided to break down the problem into small steps to fix the engine and survive.

Word Web

FailureAnalysisCryingSeparableIntransitiveMechanicalSimplify

Challenge

Write three sentences: one about a broken machine, one about a sad person, and one explaining a recipe using 'break down'.

Cultural Notes

The 'Breakdown Service' (like the AA or RAC) is a common term for roadside assistance. If you say 'I need a breakdown,' people will know you mean the service.

Americans often use 'break down' in sports and music to describe analyzing a play or a beat. 'Let's break down that touchdown!'.

In offices, 'breaking it down' is a positive trait. It implies you are a clear communicator who can simplify complex data for executives.

The phrase 'break down' emerged in the late 16th century, originally meaning to physically demolish something (like a wall).

Conversation Starters

“

Has your car ever broken down in a dangerous place?

“

Can you break down your typical daily routine for me?

“

What is the best way to break down a large project at work?

“

Why do you think communication often breaks down in relationships?

Journal Prompts

Describe a time a machine broke down when you really needed it.
Break down your favorite hobby into three steps for a beginner.
Discuss a situation where you felt emotionally overwhelmed. Why did you break down?
Analyze why negotiations between two countries might break down.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of 'break down'.

My car ___ on the way to work this morning.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: broke down
The sentence refers to a specific time in the past ('this morning').
Choose the correct word order. Multiple Choice

I don't understand the plan. Can you ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: break it down
Pronouns must go between the verb and the particle.
Find the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

The washing machine has breaked down again.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: breaked
The past participle of 'break' is 'broken'.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The negotiations broke down yesterday.
Subject + Phrasal Verb + Time Expression.
Match the sense of 'break down' to the sentence. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
Matches the three primary senses of the phrasal verb.
Translate to English. Translation

Necesito desglosar los gastos.

Answer starts with: I n...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I need to break down the expenses.
'Break down' is the correct verb for analysis/desglose.
Is this rule true or false? True False Rule

When 'break down' means 'to explain', it is inseparable.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
It is separable: 'Break the costs down' is correct.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Why are you late? B: My bike ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: broke down
Mechanical failure uses 'break down'.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct form of 'break down'.

My car ___ on the way to work this morning.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: broke down
The sentence refers to a specific time in the past ('this morning').
Choose the correct word order. Multiple Choice

I don't understand the plan. Can you ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: break it down
Pronouns must go between the verb and the particle.
Find the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

The washing machine has breaked down again.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: breaked
The past participle of 'break' is 'broken'.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

down / the / broke / negotiations / yesterday

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The negotiations broke down yesterday.
Subject + Phrasal Verb + Time Expression.
Match the sense of 'break down' to the sentence. Match Pairs

1. Mechanical, 2. Emotional, 3. Analytical

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
Matches the three primary senses of the phrasal verb.
Translate to English. Translation

Necesito desglosar los gastos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I need to break down the expenses.
'Break down' is the correct verb for analysis/desglose.
Is this rule true or false? True False Rule

When 'break down' means 'to explain', it is inseparable.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
It is separable: 'Break the costs down' is correct.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Why are you late? B: My bike ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: broke down
Mechanical failure uses 'break down'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

My phone battery suddenly ___ yesterday, and I couldn't call anyone.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: broke down
Find and fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

The manager needs to break the new policy down quickly.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The manager needs to break down the new policy quickly.
Which sentence correctly uses 'break down'? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She broke down in tears after the movie.
Type the correct English sentence. Translation

Translate into English: 'Can you explain the problem simply?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Can you break down the problem simply?","Can you break the problem down simply?"]
Put the words in order to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The engine suddenly broke down
Match the phrases with their correct meaning of 'break down'. Match Pairs

Match the phrases with the correct meaning:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

The teacher had to ___ the complex scientific theory into smaller parts.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: break down
Find and fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

The printer broke after printing one page, it always breaks.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The printer broke down after printing one page, it always breaks down.
Which sentence correctly uses 'break down'? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I broke down the budget for the trip.
Type the correct English sentence. Translation

Translate into English: 'My old computer stopped working yesterday.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["My old computer broke down yesterday."]
Put the words in order to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Can you break it down for me
Match the items that typically 'break down' (fail) with the items that you 'break down' (explain/divide). Match Pairs

Match the items:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

As a verb, yes: `break down`. As a noun, it is one word: `breakdown`.

Not usually. We use it for emotional collapse (crying) or mechanical failure. For health, we say 'fall ill' or 'get sick'.

`Break down` is more common in speech and sounds friendlier. `Analyze` is more formal and academic.

Yes, but it's more common to say 'The computer has broken down' or simply 'The computer is broken'.

Yes, it can mean to physically force a door open, but this is less common than the mechanical or analytical senses.

No. You cannot say 'The car broke itself down.' It is intransitive in that sense.

Use it to offer a detailed explanation: 'I have broken down the project phases in the table below.'

Yes, in a biological sense: 'The stomach breaks down food.'

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Averiarse / Desglosar

English uses one phrasal verb for multiple concepts that Spanish separates.

French low

Tomber en panne / Analyser

French requires completely different verbs for mechanical vs. analytical senses.

German moderate

Liegen bleiben / Aufschlüsseln

German verbs are more literal and specific to the action.

Japanese none

故障する (Koshō suru) / 分析する (Bunseki suru)

Japanese uses formal Sino-Japanese compounds for these concepts.

Arabic low

تعطل (Ta'attala) / حلل (Hallala)

The analytical sense in Arabic relates to 'dissolving' rather than 'breaking'.

Chinese partial

故障 (Gùzhàng) / 分解 (Fēnjiě)

Chinese uses two-character nouns/verbs that don't change based on prepositions.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Meeting by Surprise (Run into)
Next
Completing Tasks (Carry out)

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