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Fireflysaigon Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
The car broke down...
Hi all!
I have been wondering about this sentence:
The car (break)____________ down on my way here.
A. broke B. was broken
I personally choose "A. broke" because "break" mean "cease to function" from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/broken?r=66
However, I come across this example "The glass is broken" from
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/broken_2
Should we use "The car broke down" and "The glass/ the cup is broken". We don't say "the car is broken" because it sounds unnatural? Thanks in advance.
I have been wondering about this sentence:
The car (break)____________ down on my way here.
A. broke B. was broken
I personally choose "A. broke" because "break" mean "cease to function" from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/broken?r=66
However, I come across this example "The glass is broken" from
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/broken_2
Should we use "The car broke down" and "The glass/ the cup is broken". We don't say "the car is broken" because it sounds unnatural? Thanks in advance.
Top answer
Hi fireflysaigon The sentence 'the car broke down' is referring to the time where it actually happened. But if you stood in front of the car, and would have to determine the state of the car you could say: The / this car is broken. " Cars breaks down - where glasses just breaks.
- Hi fireflysaigon The sentence 'the car broke down' is referring to the time where it actually happened.
- But if you stood in front of the car, and would have to determine the state of the car you could say: The / this car is broken.
- " Cars breaks down - where glasses just breaks.
- )
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1 Answers
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Hi fireflysaigon
The sentence 'the car broke down' is referring to the time where it actually happened.
But if you stood in front of the car, and would have to determine the state of the car you could say: The / this car is broken. Or if somebody asked you "are you going to the party tonight?" you can say "I can't go anywhere, my car is broken."
Cars breaks down - where
The sentence 'the car broke down' is referring to the time where it actually happened.
But if you stood in front of the car, and would have to determine the state of the car you could say: The / this car is broken. Or if somebody asked you "are you going to the party tonight?" you can say "I can't go anywhere, my car is broken."
Cars breaks down - where
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