almost broken down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost broken down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is on the verge of failure or collapse, whether it's a physical object, a system, or even a person's emotional state. Example: "After years of hard work and stress, I felt almost broken down by the demands of my job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Relations between broadcaster Channel 4 and production group Endemol Shine have almost broken down over the right to broadcast Charlie Brooker's show Black Mirror in the UK.

The Guardian

"This is X Games," said White, 20, adding that he had almost broken down in tears with his family in the crowd.

The New York Times - Sports

Remove from the heat once the tomatoes have almost broken down, but before they have turned into a puree. 2 Cover the bottom of a separate saucepan in oil.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After 16 hrs of digestion, the naked plasmid had almost broken down, and the plasmid protected by Lipofectamine reduced to approximately half of the primary concentration, while DNA decreased slightly under the protection of PAMAM.

BioMed Research International

The economy is in tatters, regions are in revolt and the government has almost broken down.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I almost broke down".

The New York Times

"They almost broke down the door to get in," she said.

The Guardian

The Fighting Irish players stormed out of the locker room, almost breaking down the doors in the process.

The New York Times - Sports

Boehner, an emotional man who has cried several times in public, almost broke down again during his short speech.

The Guardian

There is a sense of their hugeness, which you get less of outside, and a tension, because you get the feeling they can almost break down the building".

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Schreier, it is no pleasure to report, sang with fractured tone through much of the evening and almost broke down in his second aria.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost broken down" to describe situations where something is very close to failing or collapsing, but hasn't yet completely done so. This can apply to physical objects, systems, or even emotional states.

Common error

While "almost broken down" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "nearly collapsed" or "on the verge of collapse" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost broken down" functions as a descriptive phrase, using an adverb to modify a past participle verb phrase. It signifies a state approaching failure or collapse, whether literal or figurative, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost broken down" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a state close to failure or collapse. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it appears in various contexts, it's most frequently found in news and media, science, and lifestyle content. When using this phrase, remember to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "nearly collapsed" or "on the verge of collapse" for variety. Overall, it’s a reliable way to express the idea of something being on the brink.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly collapsed

Emphasizes the closeness to a state of collapse.

on the verge of collapse

Highlights the imminent possibility of failure.

close to failing

Focuses on the potential for failure in a general sense.

nearing disintegration

Suggests a process of breaking apart.

virtually destroyed

Indicates a state very close to complete destruction.

about to crumble

Implies a loss of structural integrity.

on the brink of ruin

Emphasizes impending disaster or downfall.

bordering on failure

Indicates being close to the boundary of failure.

approaching breakdown

Focuses on the process leading to a breakdown.

almost disintegrated

Highlights the nearness to complete disintegration.

FAQs

What does "almost broken down" mean?

The phrase "almost broken down" means that something is very close to failing or collapsing, either physically, emotionally, or systematically. It implies a state of near-complete failure without having fully reached that point.

What are some synonyms for "almost broken down"?

Some synonyms for "almost broken down" include "nearly collapsed", "on the verge of collapse", "close to failing", or "nearing disintegration". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "almost broken down"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Almost" is an adverb modifying the past participle "broken down". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

How can I use "almost broken down" in a sentence?

You can use "almost broken down" to describe a physical object (e.g., "The old car was "almost broken down" after years of neglect"), an emotional state (e.g., "She felt "almost broken down" after receiving the bad news"), or a system (e.g., "The healthcare system is "almost broken down" due to lack of funding").