broke down

USAGE SUMMARY

"broke down" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You could use it to refer to an event or situation where something (or someone) experienced a sudden decline or failed: The student's health broke down after a week of cramming for exams.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other plays broke down.

The New York Times - Sports

It broke down before.

The Economist

I broke down sobbing.

The New York Times

I broke down.

The New Yorker

"But Ishwar broke down".

The New York Times

"I just broke down".

The New York Times

"The talks broke down".

The New York Times - Sports

All communication broke down.

The New York Times - Science

She eventually broke down.

The New York Times

Things broke down quickly.

The Economist

The cooperation broke down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the failure of a mechanical device, specify the cause if known. For instance, instead of simply saying "The car broke down", elaborate with "The car broke down due to a faulty fuel pump."

Common error

Avoid vague uses of "broke down" without context. Clarify whether you're referring to a mechanical failure, emotional distress, or the failure of a plan to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "broke down" is that of a phrasal verb functioning as the main verb within a sentence, indicating an action or event that occurred in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "broke down" is a versatile expression used to describe the cessation of function, whether mechanical, emotional, or systemic. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it commonly appears in neutral contexts such as news and media, with frequent usage across reputable sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian. While its register is generally neutral, specific contexts may require more precise language to avoid ambiguity. When using "broke down", ensure clarity by providing sufficient context to indicate the nature of the failure being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopped working

Focuses on the cessation of functionality, applicable to machines or systems.

ceased to function

Emphasizes a more formal and complete halt in operation.

became inoperative

Highlights the state of being non-functional, often used in technical contexts.

failed to operate

Indicates a failure in the process of functioning, suggesting an expected operation did not occur.

succumbed to failure

Conveys a sense of defeat or yielding to a state of non-functionality.

collapsed emotionally

Shifts the focus to emotional or psychological failure, indicating a loss of composure.

lost control

Indicates a loss of emotional or physical control.

fell apart

Suggests a disintegration or breakdown, either physically or emotionally.

reached a standstill

Implies a cessation of progress or movement, often in negotiations or projects.

came to an impasse

Focuses on the inability to move forward in a discussion or negotiation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "broke down" can describe a mechanical failure (e.g., "The car "broke down" on the highway"), an emotional collapse (e.g., "She "broke down" in tears"), or the failure of negotiations (e.g., "The talks "broke down" over disagreements").

What are some alternative ways to say "broke down"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "stopped working" (for machines), "collapsed emotionally" (for people), or "came to an impasse" (for negotiations).

Is it correct to say "broken down" instead of "broke down"?

While "broke down" is the simple past tense, "broken down" is the past participle. Use "broke down" to describe a past event (e.g., "The printer broke down yesterday"), and "broken down" as part of a perfect tense or as an adjective (e.g., "The printer has broken down", or "a broken-down printer").

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

"Broke down" is the simple past tense, referring to a completed action in the past (e.g., "The system broke down"). "Breaking down" is the present continuous tense, describing an action in progress (e.g., "The system is breaking down").