Phrasal verbs blow, boil, branch, break. Phrasal verb to break down Phrasal verb exercises break

phrasal verb

break into pieces
end a relationship, marriage, engagement, marriage; break up, break up
close educational institution on vacation, dismiss students for vacation

There is an English phrasal verb “ to break up". It means to break into pieces. Here are some examples of ways in which we can use it.

IN English language there is a phrasal verb " to break up". It means " break into pieces". Here are some examples of its use.

Imagine a storm at sea. The wind and the waves drive a ship onto the rocks. The waves smash the ship into pieces. The ship breaks up.

Imagine a storm at sea. A hurricane and waves carry the ship to the rocks. The surf breaks the ship to pieces. Ship broken.

Or, think about the great ice sheets in the Arctic and the Antarctic. Many scientists say that, because the world's climate is getting warmer, the ice sheets are starting to break up.

Or, for example, the ice cover of the Arctic and Southern oceans. Many scientists warn that due to global warming, it starts break into pieces.

Or, think about a really old car. You have had it for many years. You and it had some fine adventures together. But now the engine does not start. And when, eventually, it does start, there are horrible clunking sounds and a cloud of black smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe. The car is finished. You take the car to the scrap yard where they break it up, so that the metal and some of the parts can be re-used.

Or a very old car. You have ridden it for many years. You have seen a lot together. But the engine won't start anymore. And if it does start, then with a terrible roar and black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The car is finished. You take it to a scrap metal collection point, where it will be torn apart that can be reused.

And sometimes we say that a relationship breaks up. For instance, Joe and Mary have been going out together for a few months. They are boyfriend and girlfriend. But then they disagree and argue. Joe starts to think that he really doesn't like Mary very much. Mary starts to think that Joe is selfish and boring . They break up. They decide that they are not going to be boyfriend and girlfriend any more.

And sometimes we can say that about the end of a relationship. For example, Joe and Mary have been dating for several months. They are a couple. But then they start arguing and arguing. Joe begins to realize that he doesn't like Mary that much. Mary begins to feel that Joe is selfish and a bore. They are break up. They decide that they will not meet again.

You may be thinking that “break up” is a rather sad expression. We use it to talk about shipwrecks, and cars that have reached the end of their lives, and relationships which come to an end. But there is at least one really happy use of “break up”. We can say that school breaks up. That means, simply, that it is the end of term. It is the beginning of the holidays.

You probably think that "break up" is a very sad expression. We talk like that about shipwrecks, and cars that have outlived their usefulness, and relationships that have come to an end. But it also has at least one joyful meaning. We can say that about graduation from school. It simply means the end of the quarter. This is the start of the holidays.

There is a primary school behind my house. The school breaks up today. Today is the last day of the school term. The children are very happy. They are making even more noise in the school playground than they usually do. After today, there will be six weeks with no school. Six weeks to stay late in bed. Six weeks to play in the garden. Six weeks to watch rubbish programs on daytime television and to play on the computer. Six weeks to visit your grandparents, or to go on holiday. Six weeks to argue with your older sister. Six weeks to drive your parents mad.

I live near an elementary school. Classes end today. Today is the last day of the quarter. Children are overjoyed. The playground is even louder than usual. Tomorrow will be six weeks of freedom. Six weeks will not need to get up early. Six weeks to play outside. For six weeks it will be possible to watch stupid programs on TV and play on the computer all day. Six weeks to visit grandparents, or go on a trip. Six weeks to argue with my older sister. Six weeks to drive your parents crazy.

When considering the verbs of the English language, one cannot bypass the phrasal verb Break, which in turn is one of the most popular, and concurrently - integral part most phrases and phrasal verbs from Everyday life English speaking people. Therefore, a deep analysis and consolidation of this topic is simply necessary for every person who is interested in the English language.

Its translation is to break, destroy, break (into parts). In English, verbs are usually divided into two groups: regular and irregular. Ours, unfortunately irregular verb. The correctness or irregularity of a verb affects its conjugation in verb forms. And if everything is simple with the right ones, then in this case, the differences will have to be memorized. It is customary to distinguish three standard forms of the verb:

1. Base Form
2. Past Simple
3. Past Participle

1 form of the verb always remains unchanged. The second form of the verb is always expressed as the past tense - Broke. The third form is also expressed in the past tense, but with one slight difference - the verb carries the signs of the subject, - Broken.

Use in phrases and idioms

Verbs in English are actively and successfully formed into various phrases and idioms. Many often confuse these two different concepts and in no case should you do this. in turn, this can lead to various translation errors and misunderstandings in conversation.

Phrases are expressions that have a direct translation.
Idioms are expressions, the translation of which is completely different from the direct translation.

For example, Break the ice- melt the ice, perform some action / say something to defuse the situation, move something off the ground.

Most of them are very famous all over the world and are widely used in the preparation of various texts, consider some of them:

Phrases

breaking news– breaking news, urgent/latest/breaking news. The most popular phrase from this category. It seems that everyone, without exception, has seen her anywhere, especially on television. It is widely used by countries where they do not even speak English, as everyone simply understands its meaning.

smoke break is a relatively common phrase around the world. Most people meet with her every day in between work and she translates as "smoke break".

Break something to pieces- to break something into pieces/small pieces.

Idioms

Break a leg is an idiom meaning good luck. It was originally used in the theatrical field as an encouragement for an actor entering the stage. (One of the versions of the origin is that wishing good luck was considered a bad sign, and the actors, as creative people, decided to go from the opposite)

Break the law- defy the law. Probably the most popular idiom from this area due to the fact that the legislation of any state occupies a large part in the life of its citizens. By the way, the translation of the Break the rules idiom is almost identical, with the exception of one but: instead of a law, there are rules. In no case should they be confused or used as synonyms. As the saying goes, the law is the law, the rules are the rules.

break a habit- to give up the habit / get out of the comfort zone.

break free- to become free, to be freed.

Break a sweat

Break my mind- drive me crazy.

Break a sweat- to work hard / sweat over something.

Some expressions, differing only in one article, can have both direct and figurative meaning at the same time.

Break the stick/a stick-destroy relationships, move away in terms of relationships / break the stick.

I feel like breaking the stick between me and my gf. - I feel like my girlfriend and I are moving away from each other.

Phrasal verbs

The phrasal verb or Phrasal Verb is a characteristic phenomenon in modern English. The phrasal verb Break is confidently included in the same rating of the most and actively used phrasal verbs in the English language. Like any other, it is formed according to the scheme verb + adverb / preposition + adverb. With rare exceptions, it is found in business communication and very often in colloquial English. language, or more simply - in ordinary communication. Let's look at a few examples:

Break in has many meanings - to interrupt or interfere in someone's business / conversation, break in, break in.

The thieves waited until it was dark to break in. “The robbers waited until darkness fell, and only then did they start breaking in.

break up also has many meanings - to finish, stop, disperse, break up (about a group, company, family), upset, upset the peace of mind, disappear, interrupt (about a radio signal).

My mother says, her brother is going to get married to his girlfriend but she is afraid they will break up soon. My mother says that her brother is going to marry his girlfriend, but she is afraid that they will soon break up.

Break down- break down, fail (about plans), lose ground, deteriorate (in terms of condition / health)

Your car will break down if you don't have it serviced regularly. If you don't service your car regularly, it will break down.

break off- interrupt (most often - suddenly) a conversation / friendship / acquaintance

I broke off our relations with him over a month ago. “More than a month ago, I broke off our relationship with him.

Idioms, phrases and phrasal verbs occupy a relatively large and undoubtedly important part in the daily communication of the modern English-speaking population. Without knowing this or that phrasal verb, which will now and then slip between words, it will be difficult to capture the essence of the whole message as a whole, which the interlocutor will try to convey. Therefore, the study of various lexical formations with the most popular verbs is simply recommended for those who wish to improve their level of language proficiency, as well as for general development, which will never be superfluous. After all, a person who is able to competently and versatilely express his thoughts in modern society appreciated like never before.

The largest category of words in English are verbs. Their list can increase several times if we add phrasal verbs to these verbs, which are used in speech at least as often as standard ones. Phrasal verbs are verbs that contain a verb with an adverb and / or a preposition. Their meaning, as a rule, is radically different from the original meaning of the verb. Moreover, it is almost impossible to guess about this meaning without studying the topic. The break down phrasal verb can serve as such an example. Let's analyze this phrasal verb in more detail, considering its translation and use cases.

break verb: original meaning

But first, let's focus on the break verb itself. It is quite often found in the speech of native speakers on its own. The verb break is irregular and has 3 special forms:

Break down phrasal verb: usage options

If you add the word down to this verb, its meaning immediately changes. So, the break down phrasal verb can be used in the meaning:

"Break" (often about a vehicle/technique):

"Break":

"Cry":

"Loose the temper":

"Surrender" (about health):

"Disassemble in parts":

"Spread out":

"Stop" (of a relationship or conversation in a negative context):

“Remove the difficulty that prevents you from achieving something”:

You have to spend some time to break down the language barrier.

You will have to spend some time to break down the language barrier.

As you can see, such a phrasal verb as break down has a lot of meanings that at the initial stage can only be remembered with translation or context. It is necessary to know all possible interpretations of a phrasal verb in order to avoid misunderstandings.

Phrasal verb break: other meanings

Of course, everything is not limited to one phrasal verb break down. There are a number of other phrasal verbs that are also used in speech. Consider the most common of them.

Break out - run away:

Also used as "to break out" when referring to war:

And in the meaning of "flare up" about a fire or an epidemic:

Break up - usually in the meanings of “break up” (about a team and marriages) and “break up” (about couples in love):

Also in the meaning of "stop" (of meetings):

Break into - “break in”, “penetrate”, “break in”:

Break through - “break through”, “break through”:

Also "make a breakthrough", "succeed":

Break off - “suddenly end the conversation”, “break off relations”, “break off the engagement”:

Break away - “run away from someone” (more often about criminals), “separate”:

Also in the meaning of "break the habit":

Break in - "interrupt":

The break verb really has many meanings that you need to know and be able to use. Try to learn at least one phrasal verb a day by doing exercises and making up your own. own examples. And, of course, each exercise should be supported by practice, so do not be afraid to communicate with native speakers and ask them questions.

The verb "break" has many meanings, the most common of which are:
to break, break (in pieces); destroy
Example: He fell through the window, breaking the glass. He fell out of the window, breaking the glass.

Together with the addition of a preposition / adverb, the verb takes on a different meaning:

Break down - break, break
The prisoner's opposition broke down under repeated questioning.
Repeated interrogation broke the resistance of the arrested.

Break down - worsen, pass (about health)
You will break down if you work too hard.
If you work too hard, you will lose your health.

Break in - break in, break in
The thieves waited until it was dark enough to break in.
The thieves waited until it was dark enough, and only then proceeded to break in.

Break in - intervene (in a conversation); interrupt (conversation)
But I was there, Jane broke in.
“But I was there,” Jane put in.

Break in - break in (clothes, shoes), run in (a new car)
Don "t drive the new car too fast, I" m still breaking it in.
Don't drive so fast, I'm still running this car.

Break in - interrupt (smth.)
The loud bell on the clock broke in upon his dreams.
The loud chime of the clock interrupted his sleep.

break into – invade using economic or political advantages; break in; light up; break out; rush
He felt so happy that he broke into song (= suddenly began to sing).
He felt happy that he suddenly sang a song.

break off - suddenly interrupt (conversation, acquaintance); suddenly stop (conversation, friendship, acquaintance)
I broke off with them over a year ago.

break out - break out, break through (from prison, etc.)
Forget about "em. Fast! - No. I can" t. I have to break out of here. Can it be done?
Forget about them. And faster! - Not. I cant. I have to get out of here. Is it possible?

break out - flare up, explode (about war, fight, enmity, fire, noise, etc.)
But fighting may break out at any time, so we will work quickly.
But a fight could break out at any time, so we'll act quickly.

break out - flash, light up (smile); burst out (laughing); become covered (with perspiration, pimples, etc.)
Halston broke out in inspiration.
Halston broke into a sweat.

break up - stop, end
The party broke up when the police arrived.
The party was interrupted when the police showed up.

break up - disperse, disintegrate (about a group, company); to fall apart, fall apart (of a family)
I hear that Joan and Steve are breaking up.
I heard that Joan and Steve are getting a divorce.

break up – (Brit.) to close for the holidays
When does your school break up?
When does your school close for holidays?

break up - upset, upset the peace of mind
She says, her sister is going to be married and that she fears it will break her up.
She says that her sister is going to get married, and she is afraid that this will bring her a lot of grief.

break up - Amer.; unfold scary to have fun, burst with laughter
The camera had only to turn to Tommy Cooper for the audience to break up with laughter.
As soon as the camera aimed at Tommy Cooper, all the audience rolled with laughter.

break up to divide (into smaller parts)
The job can be broken up into several activities, which provides some variety.
Work can be divided into different types activities that will add some variety to it.

break up - disappear, interrupt (about a radio signal)
You are breaking up.
You are missing. (i.e. you cannot be heard; while talking on a mobile phone)

A very, very useful expression! Let's explore its meaning!

Friends, hello! In this article, I would like to introduce you to another phrasal verb. Like any phrasal verb, to break down has many different meanings. I want to focus on the most common of them!