breaking down

USAGE SUMMARY

"breaking down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a process that is being divided into smaller parts, or a process of coming apart or disintegrating. For example: "The project was breaking down into more manageable pieces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We're not breaking down".

The New York Times - Sports

He's breaking down the door!

The New Yorker

"The resistance is breaking down".

The New York Times

Order is breaking down somewhat.

The New York Times

Discipline was breaking down.

The Guardian

Hierarchy is breaking down.

The New York Times

That's breaking down.

The Guardian

They keep breaking down.

The New York Times

"I'm breaking down".

The New York Times

We're breaking down conventions.

The Guardian - Music

Machines are breaking down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "breaking down" to vividly depict system or equipment failures, making your writing more impactful. For instance, "The old engine kept breaking down, causing frequent delays."

Common error

While "breaking down" can effectively convey emotional distress, overuse may diminish the impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "collapsing emotionally" or "becoming overwhelmed" to maintain reader engagement and add nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaking down" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used as part of the continuous tense. It indicates an ongoing action of either analyzing something into smaller parts or ceasing to function correctly. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

19%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "breaking down" is a versatile verb phrase with a high frequency of use, as verified by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in News & Media, Science and Wiki sources, serving various functions from describing analytical processes to depicting failures or emotional states. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's important to consider context and avoid overuse in specific situations like emotional descriptions. Related phrases, such as "analyzing" or "disintegrating", can offer nuanced alternatives. Remember to use this tool to "break down" all your grammatical doubts!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malfunctioning

Describes a failure in the function of a machine or system, close to the meaning of "breaking down" when referring to equipment.

disintegrating

Implies a process of falling apart or decaying, similar to "breaking down" in its destructive sense.

failing

Indicates a decline in effectiveness or proper function, like "breaking down" when referring to performance.

collapsing

Suggests a sudden failure or loss of structure, similar to "breaking down" when referring to systems or structures.

analyzing

Focuses on separating something into its constituent parts for examination, akin to "breaking down" in an analytical context.

crumbling

Suggests a gradual decay or disintegration, similar to "breaking down" in terms of structural integrity.

decomposing

Refers to the natural process of organic matter decaying, akin to "breaking down" in biological contexts.

dissecting

Involves carefully cutting something apart to examine its structure, analogous to "breaking down" analytically.

cracking up

Implies an emotional collapse, a more informal and colloquial version of "breaking down" in a psychological context.

unpacking

Focuses on revealing underlying components or details, much like "breaking down" a complex idea.

FAQs

How can I use "breaking down" in a sentence?

You can use "breaking down" to describe a process of analysis, failure, or emotional collapse. For instance, "The team is "breaking down" the project into smaller tasks", or "The car was "breaking down" on the highway".

What are some alternatives to "breaking down"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "disintegrating", "analyzing", or "collapsing". Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is it correct to say "break down" instead of "breaking down"?

Yes, "break down" is the base form of the verb, while "breaking down" is the present participle. The correct form depends on the tense and structure of your sentence. For example, "The negotiations break down" versus "The negotiations are breaking down".

What's the difference between "breaking down" and "breaking up"?

"Breaking down" often refers to analyzing something, a failure of a system, or an emotional collapse. "Breaking up" typically refers to the end of a relationship or the dispersal of a gathering. They have distinct meanings and are not interchangeable.