gave a breakdown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gave a breakdown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining or detailing the components or elements of something, often in a financial or analytical context. Example: "The accountant gave a breakdown of the expenses for the last quarter, highlighting the areas where costs could be reduced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Doll gave a breakdown of the list.

The New Yorker

It gave a breakdown showing that the preponderance of the victims, 73 percent, were younger than 18, with the largest group 13 to 16 years old.

The New York Times

Under the strapline "Our conference can provide an exciting place to do business", there was a revealing pie chart in the Labour party's conference guide that gave a breakdown of who now attends the annual gathering.

The Guardian - Opinion

David Freeman from the ONS gave a breakdown of the figures and said the number of older workers was at the highest level ever seen.

BBC

In this report Mr Wilson gave a breakdown of the ongoing activities of the medical center and the plans for the upcoming Labor Day weekend.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As licence-fee payers, we should be given a breakdown.

The Guardian

He declined to give a breakdown of the number of military and civilian deaths.

The New York Times

Officials would not give a breakdown of the countries where the other suspects or children live.

The New York Times

Some township government Web sites that give a breakdown of goals for officials list population control as a priority.

The New York Times

Officials would not give a breakdown of how many were for the public and how many for the Olympic committee.

The New York Times - Sports

General Simmons declined to give a breakdown of the attacks in the northern belt, from Taji to Mosul.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gave a breakdown", ensure that the subsequent information clearly itemizes or categorizes the components being discussed. This provides a clear and structured explanation for the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "gave a breakdown" without actually providing a detailed explanation afterward. Ensure the breakdown is clear and specific, rather than a general overview. Otherwise the sentence will sound odd to the reader, and he might question where is the breakdown

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gave a breakdown" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of providing a detailed analysis or explanation of something. As shown by Ludwig, this often involves presenting information in a structured or itemized format.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gave a breakdown" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey the act of providing a detailed analysis or explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, particularly in contexts where complex information is simplified through itemization. While relatively rare in occurrence, the phrase is primarily found in news and media, with a neutral to professional tone. Remember to follow ""gave a breakdown"" with the itemization itself and consider alternatives like "provided a detailed analysis" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provided a detailed analysis

Emphasizes a thorough examination and presentation of information.

offered a comprehensive explanation

Highlights a complete and thorough account.

presented a thorough account

Focuses on giving a detailed narrative or report.

supplied a detailed report

Stresses the provision of a formal, structured document.

furnished a complete picture

Implies creating a full and clear understanding.

elaborated on the specifics

Highlights expanding on particular aspects with more detail.

explained in detail

Focuses on providing a clear and thorough understanding through explanation.

itemized the components

Implies listing and detailing each individual element.

recited the specifics

Implies saying it in a formal way

illustrated the composition

This focuses on visually representing the elements and structure of something.

FAQs

What does "gave a breakdown" mean?

The phrase "gave a breakdown" means to provide a detailed analysis or explanation, often itemizing the components or elements of something.

How can I use "gave a breakdown" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone providing a detailed explanation of something complex. For example, "The analyst "gave a breakdown" of the company's financial performance".

What are some alternatives to "gave a breakdown"?

Alternatives include "provided a detailed analysis", "offered a comprehensive explanation", or "presented a thorough account".

Is it always necessary to actually itemize after saying someone "gave a breakdown"?

Yes, to maintain clarity and meet expectations, it's best to ensure that when you state someone ""gave a breakdown"", you follow up with specific details and itemized information.