it broke down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it broke down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something has stopped functioning or has failed, often referring to machinery or vehicles. Example: "After driving for several hours, the car suddenly broke down on the side of the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sixteen people had to be rescued after it broke down during a press launch in its opening month.

The Guardian - Travel

It broke down before.

The Economist

He added, "Of course it broke down".

The New York Times

It broke down in cold weather.

The New York Times

It broke down into literally a gray mush.

The New Yorker

It broke down the walls of privacy once considered sacrosanct.

The New York Times - Arts

It broke down the role of different kinds of maltreatment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Red-wine consumption soared recently after health studies suggested it broke down cholesterol.

Independent

It broke down a lot of barriers of fear and prejudice in different respects.

The New York Times

You sense that the person who cooked it broke down the animal himself.

The New York Times - Food

Titled How Google Fights Piracy, it broke down the company's activities.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific type of failure, be precise. Instead of just saying "it broke down", specify what part failed or what kind of malfunction occurred to provide more clarity.

Common error

While "it broke down" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise and professional language like "it malfunctioned" or "it ceased functioning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it broke down" typically functions as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the state of something after it has ceased to function correctly. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it broke down" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the failure or cessation of function of an object, system, or process. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and utility across a range of contexts, with particular prevalence in News & Media. While the phrase is versatile, more formal alternatives like "it malfunctioned" may be preferred in technical or scientific writing. Remember to specify the nature of the breakdown for clarity. This analysis helps to confidently use "it broke down" in diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it malfunctioned

Replaces "broke down" with a more technical term for equipment failure.

it stopped working

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic meaning.

it failed

Uses a single, direct word to indicate a lack of success or functionality.

it ceased to function

Formal alternative, suitable for technical or official contexts.

it gave out

An idiomatic expression indicating a sudden failure.

it went out of order

Commonly used for equipment or machines that are temporarily unavailable.

it packed up

Informal, often used when something stops working permanently.

it ground to a halt

Describes a gradual stop, often due to mechanical or systematic issues.

it was inoperative

Technical term indicating a state of non-functionality.

it crashed

Commonly used for systems or software that suddenly stop working, particularly for digital contexts.

FAQs

What does "it broke down" mean?

The phrase "it broke down" means that something has stopped functioning correctly or has failed. It's often used to describe mechanical failures, system crashes, or the end of a process.

What can I say instead of "it broke down"?

You can use alternatives like "it malfunctioned", "it stopped working", or "it failed" depending on the context.

Is "it broke down" formal or informal?

The phrase "it broke down" is generally considered neutral and can be used in many contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in technical or professional settings.

How to use "it broke down" in a sentence?

You can use "it broke down" to describe the failure of a system or object. For example: "The car broke down on the highway", or "The negotiations broke down after disagreements over key issues".