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Mr1bin Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Break?

Please check the correct form.

My phone was broken

My phone was broken down

My phone broke

My phone broke down

Thanks
  

Top answer

My phone was out of order.

— Mister Micawber

  • My phone was out of order.
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6 Answers
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My phone was out of order.
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Thank you but could you tell me the usage of break? please ( I don't get it that I should use passive form or active form)
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The usage varies somewhat with the object. Most small, non-malleable objects 'break'; larger things 'break down'. Passive is often odd unless context offers it as the reason or the agent is mentioned:

My pencil/window broke.

My pencil/window was broken by a small child.

My pencil/window was broken, so I couldn't write/keep warm.

My car/
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Ah... I got it! So I don't need to mention the reason when I use the active form.

But I need to mention the reason when I use the passive form right?
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I'm sure that isn't 100% true, mr1bin, but it seems to make those examples natural for me.
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I believe that there are always exceptions in English but I want to use the sentences that most natives use : ) THank you
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