Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding the Phrasal Verb: Break Down

“When emotions break down resistance, understanding bridges the silent gaps between hearts, fostering deeper connections amidst life's chaos and beauty.”

📖 Definition

To stop functioning or working, typically referring to machinery or systems, or to undergo emotional distress to the point of being unable to cope.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

You can split the verb and object: 'break it down'.

Neutral

It is commonly used in both spoken and written forms.

Transitive

Yes

It requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	break down	Rains often cause the old bridge to break down.
Past Simple	broke down	Her car broke down on the way to the conference.
Present Continuous	breaking down	They are breaking down the barriers of communication.
Present Perfect	have broken down	We have broken down the project into smaller parts.

💡 When to Use

Mechanical failures

Use when referring to machines or systems stopping their operation unexpectedly or failing to work.

Example: “The printer tends to break down during important print jobs.”

Emotional distress

Use when describing someone becoming overwhelmed by emotions, unable to maintain composure.

Example: “She broke down after hearing the devastating news.”

Analyzing complexity

Use to describe the act of simplifying information or problems into more understandable parts.

Example: “Let's break down the budget report to identify major expenses.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect verb tense

❌ Wrong: The machine break down every week.

✅ Correct: The machine breaks down every week.

💡 Tip: Remember to add an 's' for third-person singular in present tense.

Incorrect order

❌ Wrong: Break the plan down.

✅ Correct: Break down the plan.

💡 Tip: Be mindful of object placement in separable verbs.

Confusing separability

❌ Wrong: Down break the door.

✅ Correct: Break down the door.

💡 Tip: Keep the correct order: verb then particle.

Practice

BREAK DOWN – IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

After hours of discussion, they finally broke down the complex idea into simpler terms.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

During the harsh winter, many cars tend to break down due to cold temperatures.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

She found it hard to concentrate as emotions began to break down her mental defenses.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

collapse fail

Antonyms

function

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

“During the meeting, tensions began to ___ down.”

build

break down

rise

increase

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Break Down

What is the origin of break down?

The phrasal verb 'break down' has origins in the late Middle English period. Derived from the combination of 'break' as in separate or force apart, and 'down' indicating a lower position, it originally described mechanical failure before extending to emotional contexts.

Can break down be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'break down' is versatile in its usage, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, it often describes mechanical failures or detailed analysis, while in casual conversation, it might be used to describe emotional experiences or minor malfunctions.

What is the difference between break down and collapse?

'Break down' and 'collapse' can both describe failure but 'break down' focuses on malfunction or emotional distress. 'Collapse' often indicates physical falling or loss of structure. For example, systems break down when failing to work, while structures collapse when they physically fall apart.

Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey