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GainRain Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Break (down)

"Overwork and disease broke his health."
"Overwork and disease broke down his health."

"His health broke because of overwork and disease."
"His health broke down because of overwork and disease."

How are "break" and "break down" different in this context?
  

Top answer

They are essentially synonymous. 'Down' (like 'up' in 'hurry up' or 'finish up') is an adverb adding a note of completion.

— Mister Micawber

  • They are essentially synonymous.
  • 'Down' (like 'up' in 'hurry up' or 'finish up') is an adverb adding a note of completion.
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5 Answers
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They are essentially synonymous. 'Down' (like 'up' in 'hurry up' or 'finish up') is an adverb adding a note of completion.
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"The latest setback broke down his spirit."
"The latest setback broke his spirit."

"After the latest setback, his spirit broke down."
"After the latest setback, his spirit broke ."

If these are standard English, how are "break" and "break down" different in this context?
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We do not use 'down' with the idiom 'to break one's spirit'.
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Thanks you for your replies, Mr Micawber.

So, it is possible to "break" or "break down" somebody's health, but only possible to "break" someone's spirit?
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Yes. You will have to keep your eyes open for which contexts can take alternative phrasal verbs and which cannot. There are no lists.
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