he breaks down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he breaks down' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the reaction of a person when they become overwhelmed with emotion. For example: Jonathan was so touched by his daughter's words that he breaks down in tears.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"And he breaks down".

The New Yorker

"He breaks down in tears".

The New Yorker

He breaks down the defense nearly every possession.

The New York Times

He breaks down every word into its own sentence to stress the point.

The Guardian - Sport

So revolted is he by the task at hand, however, that he breaks down in tears.

Independent

He breaks down in Budapest, spouting everything he knows about Russia.

The New Yorker

It's a monstrous act and yet, after the loss, he breaks down in his office.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The problem is that when he plays in the field, he breaks down.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He broke down.

The New York Times - Sports

Then he broke down crying.

The New York Times

He broke down crying, he recalled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical contexts, ensure it's clear whether "he breaks down" refers to a physical failure or an analytical process. Provide clarifying details to prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "he breaks down" without specifying the reason. Readers may misinterpret the cause as physical or emotional, depending on the context. Providing detail enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he breaks down" is a verb phrase, acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes an action or state of being, specifically related to emotional collapse, detailed analysis, or physical failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

23%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he breaks down" is a versatile verb phrase with multiple meanings, ranging from emotional collapse to detailed analysis and physical malfunction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Its usage is very common, particularly in news and media, and the intended meaning is usually clear from the surrounding context. When using the phrase, ensure you provide enough context to avoid ambiguity and clearly convey your intended message, as specifying the cause or type of breakdown is often crucial for reader comprehension. Consider alternatives like ""he collapses emotionally"", ""he loses control"", or "he stops functioning" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. With a source quality score of 81 and an expert rating of 4.5, "he breaks down" stands as a reliable and widely understood expression in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he collapses emotionally

Focuses specifically on the emotional aspect of breaking down.

he loses control

Emphasizes a loss of self-control, which can lead to breaking down.

he falls apart

Suggests a disintegration of emotional or mental state.

he succumbs to tears

Highlights the act of crying as a manifestation of breaking down.

he dissects

Shifts the meaning towards analysis, where something is broken down into smaller parts.

he analyzes thoroughly

Similar to 'he dissects', but more explicitly indicates a complete and detailed analysis.

he examines closely

Implies a careful and detailed inspection or analysis.

he stops functioning

Describes a physical or mechanical breakdown.

he malfunctions

Similar to 'he stops functioning', focusing on a failure to operate correctly.

he ceases to work

Indicates the end of operational capability.

FAQs

What does "he breaks down" mean?

The phrase "he breaks down" can mean that someone is overwhelmed by emotion and starts to cry or loses composure. It can also mean that someone is analyzing something in detail or that something, like a machine, stops working.

How can I use "he breaks down" in a sentence?

You can use "he breaks down" in a sentence like, "He breaks down in tears when he hears the news" to describe emotional distress. Or, "He breaks down the problem into smaller parts" to describe analysis. Or, "The car breaks down on the highway" to describe physical failure.

What can I say instead of "he breaks down" when referring to emotional distress?

You can use alternatives like "he collapses emotionally", "he loses control", or "he falls apart" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "he breaks down" to describe physical failure?

Use "he breaks down" to describe physical failure when referring to machinery, equipment, or systems that cease to function correctly. Alternatives include "he stops functioning" or "he malfunctions".