break or break down

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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > break or break down

break or break down

colibrita

break or break down

Oh dear, so much time abroad I �m forgetting my English!

Best to say "the coffee machine is broken again" or "the coffee machine has broken down again"?

TIA

29 Oct 2009

eng789

Both are ok.

29 Oct 2009

colibrita

I AM a native, Silke!!!!! Yikes! Embarrassed

29 Oct 2009

colibrita

So i �m not losing my mind then eng789!

29 Oct 2009

alien boy

You can use both...
but...
if something is �broken down � it implies a mechanical problem - eg the water pump is not working in the coffee machine - whereas if it �s �broken again � maybe someone has broken a nozzle - i.e. a fixed piece that doesn �t have moving parts.

Cheers,
AB

29 Oct 2009

colibrita

Oh Alien Boy I think you �ve got it! That makes a ton of sense! Hug

29 Oct 2009

colibrita

I think i �m gonna go and put on a cuppa...

Thank you all!!!!!

29 Oct 2009

Zora

Yup, it �s okay to say both Colibrita Smile

"Stupid coffee maker is broken! *insert swear word* It has broken down three times this month!"

LOL

29 Oct 2009

readingaol

Zora, you �ve just made me laugh!

Thank you!

29 Oct 2009

volkanerozel

hello katiana1. I really adore your wonderful worksheets. Is it possible to prepeare a worksheet about REPORTED SPEECH and PASSIVE VOICE. These are the only two subjects you have not prepeared a ws about. Thank you

29 Oct 2009