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Stevenukd Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Broken up

A: Are Mary and Peter still together?
B: No. They have been broken up already.

- Why don't we use "They have broken up already"?

Thanks so much to Teachers,

Stevenukd
  

Top answer

To break up with someone is active, not passive voice. No one has done the job of "breaking up" for them (such as in the sentence: The car has been fixed by a mechanic). " Hana

— Anonymous

  • To break up with someone is active, not passive voice.
  • No one has done the job of "breaking up" for them (such as in the sentence: The car has been fixed by a mechanic).
  • " Hana
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4 Answers
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To break up with someone is active, not passive voice. No one has done the job of "breaking up" for them (such as in the sentence: The car has been fixed by a mechanic).
Could you please tell me where you saw "They have been broken up already?"

Hana
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StevenukdWhy don't we use "They have broken up already"?
??? We do use that. I certainly don't use They have been broken up already.

CJ
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Dear Teachers,

- But Native speakers do say "They have been broken up for 2 years now" and do not say "They have broken up for 2 years now", right?

Thanks very much!

Stevenukd
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Actually "they have been broken up" and "they have broken up for 2 years now" would both be considered mistakes.

"They broke up two years ago."

"They have been apart or separated for two years now."

Q. "Are x and y still together?"
A. "No, they've broken up."
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