broken down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broken down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to something that has been analyzed or simplified. For example, "This article breaks down the complex issue of immigration into easy-to-understand pieces of information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Their resistance has been broken down".

The New York Times - Arts

It has never broken down, knock wood.

The New Yorker

Had the hearse broken down?

The New York Times

"That deal has broken down".

The New York Times

Mentally I was broken down".

BBC

TiO2 was easily broken down during calcination.

Nano-Micro Letters

Figure 9 Results broken down by conditions.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Has the ideas machine broken down?

BBC

Car broken down?

HuffPost

Has his car broken down?

Huffington Post

(Gizmodo's broken down plenty more).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broken down" to describe an emotional state, ensure the context clearly indicates psychological distress, not physical damage. For example, "She was completely broken down after receiving the news".

Common error

Avoid using "broken down" in technical descriptions where more precise terms like 'decomposed' or 'dismantled' are appropriate. For instance, instead of saying 'The chemical was broken down', use 'The chemical was decomposed into its constituent elements'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken down" primarily functions as a verb in the past participle form, often used adjectivally to describe a state of being non-functional or having been thoroughly analyzed. Ludwig confirms its validity, showing diverse usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broken down" is a versatile term primarily used as a verb in the past participle form. It indicates a state of being non-functional, emotionally distressed, or thoroughly analyzed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, with significant representation in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business domains. While it maintains a neutral register, its precise meaning depends on context. To avoid misuse, ensure clarity in emotional descriptions and precision in technical contexts. The suggested alternatives provide options for varying the expression while maintaining semantic relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

analyzed

Focuses on the process of detailed examination, omitting the sense of malfunction or emotional distress.

simplified

Emphasizes making something easier to understand, lacking the connotations of failure or damage.

out of order

Specifically refers to something not functioning, without implying analysis or emotional state.

not working

A general term for malfunction, lacking specific context.

inoperative

A more formal term for something not functioning.

decomposed

Emphasizes the process of decay or breaking down into simpler parts, often in a biological context.

disintegrated

Suggests a complete breakdown into fragments, often implying force or violence.

fallen apart

Indicates a gradual process of breaking into pieces or failing to function.

stopped functioning

Highlights the cessation of operation or activity.

ceased to operate

A more formal way of saying something has stopped working.

FAQs

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

You can use "broken down" to describe something that is not functioning properly, like "My car was "broken down" on the highway". It can also describe something that has been analyzed or simplified, as in "The complex problem was "broken down" into smaller parts".

What are some alternatives to saying "broken down"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "out of order" if something isn't working, or "analyzed" or "simplified" if something has been made easier to understand.

Is it correct to say someone is "broken down" emotionally?

Yes, it is correct. Saying someone is "broken down" emotionally means they are experiencing a state of extreme distress or emotional collapse. For example, "She was "broken down" after hearing the news".

What's the difference between "break down" and "broken down"?

"Break down" is a verb phrase indicating the act of ceasing to function or the process of analyzing something. "Broken down" is the past participle, used as an adjective or in perfect tenses, describing the state of being non-functional or having been analyzed. For example, "The engine will break down" versus "The engine is "broken down"".