Phrasal Verbs with Break: Common Expressions and Usage Tips
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language, and they can be challenging to learn for non-native speakers. One of the most commonly used phrasal verbs is “break,” which can have multiple meanings depending on the context. Understanding phrasal verbs with “break” is crucial for effective communication in everyday life.
Phrasal verbs with “break” can be used in various situations, such as breaking up with a partner, breaking down during a presentation, or breaking into a new market. These verbs can be challenging to understand because their meanings are not always literal. For example, “break up” means to end a relationship, while “break into” means to enter a place illegally.
Learning phrasal verbs with “break” can be intimidating, but it is essential to master them for effective communication. In this article, we will explore the most common phrasal verbs with “break” and provide practical exercises to help you use them correctly. We will also discuss the mental aspect of using phrasal verbs and answer frequently asked questions about this topic.
Key Takeaways
- Phrasal verbs with “break” are commonly used in everyday life and can have multiple meanings depending on the context.
- Understanding phrasal verbs with “break” is crucial for effective communication in English.
- Practical exercises and mental preparation can help you master phrasal verbs with “break.”
Understanding Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language and are commonly used in everyday conversations. They are made up of a verb and one or more particles, and their meaning is often different from the verb alone. In this section, we will discuss phrasal verbs with the verb “break”.
Common Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’
Here are some of the most common phrasal verbs with “break” and their meanings:
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Break down | To stop working or functioning properly |
| Break out | To suddenly start or happen |
| Break in | To enter a place forcibly or illegally |
| Break up | To end a relationship or a group |
| Break into | To enter a building or a car forcibly or illegally |
| Break through | To penetrate or overcome an obstacle |
| Break away | To escape from something or someone |
| Break off | To end something suddenly or abruptly |
| Break in on | To interrupt someone or something |
| Break out of | To escape from a place or a situation |
| Break with | To end a relationship or a connection with someone or something |
Examples of Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’
Here are some examples of phrasal verbs with “break” used in sentences:
- The car broke down on the highway.
- The fire broke out in the kitchen.
- The burglars broke in through the window.
- John and Mary broke up last month.
- The thieves broke into the jewelry store and stole everything.
- The company finally broke through the tough market competition.
- The prisoner broke away from the guards and escaped.
- The negotiations broke off due to disagreements.
- I’m sorry to break in on your conversation, but I need to talk to you.
- The prisoner managed to break out of jail.
- The company decided to break with its long-time supplier.
Conclusion
Phrasal verbs with “break” are commonly used in the English language and have different meanings from the verb alone. It is essential to understand their meanings and usage to communicate effectively in English.
Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’ in Everyday Life
Phrasal verbs are a crucial part of the English language, and one of the most commonly used verbs in phrasal verbs is ‘break.’ In this section, we will explore some of the most common phrasal verbs with ‘break’ and how they are used in everyday life.
Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’ in Relationships
‘Break’ is often used in the context of romantic relationships. Some common phrasal verbs include ‘break up,’ which means to end a romantic relationship, and ‘break off,’ which means to end an engagement. ‘Break with’ is another phrasal verb that can be used to describe ending a friendship or relationship with someone.
Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’ in Emergencies
In emergency situations, ‘break’ can be used to describe the act of escaping or breaking free. For example, ‘break out’ can be used to describe escaping from a prison or other confinement, while ‘break away’ can be used to describe breaking free from an attacker or dangerous situation.
Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’ in Health
When it comes to health, ‘break’ can be used to describe a sudden onset of a condition or symptom. For example, ‘break out in’ can be used to describe a sudden rash or skin problem, while ‘break through’ can be used to describe a sudden improvement in a patient’s condition.
Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’ in Technology
In the context of technology, ‘break’ can be used to describe a malfunction or failure. For example, ‘break down’ can be used to describe a car or other machine that has stopped working, while ‘break in’ can be used to describe the process of breaking in a new pair of shoes or other item.
Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’ in Education
In the context of education, ‘break’ can be used to describe a pause or interruption. For example, ‘break up’ can be used to describe the division of a lesson or test into smaller sections, while ‘break in on’ can be used to describe an unexpected interruption during a class or lecture.
Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’ in Social Situations
In social situations, ‘break’ can be used to describe a sudden change or disruption. For example, ‘break up’ can be used to describe a fight or argument between friends or family members, while ‘break in on’ can be used to describe an unexpected interruption during a conversation or social event.
Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’ in Physical Objects
Finally, ‘break’ can be used to describe physical objects and their state of being. For example, ‘break a piece’ can be used to describe breaking off a piece of chocolate or other food item, while ‘break into’ can be used to describe the act of breaking into a building or other physical object.
In conclusion, phrasal verbs with ‘break’ are an essential part of the English language and are used in a variety of everyday situations. By understanding these phrasal verbs and their meanings, you can improve your English language skills and communicate more effectively in a variety of contexts.
Practical Exercises for Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’
When it comes to learning phrasal verbs, practice is key. Here are some practical exercises to help you master the phrasal verbs with ‘break’:
1. Fill in the Blanks
One effective way to practice phrasal verbs is to fill in the blanks in a sentence. Here are some examples using the phrasal verbs with ‘break’:
- Thieves broke ___ and stole all the money. (in/into)
- I need to break ___ my bad habits. (away/from)
- The car broke ___ on the highway. (down)
- She broke ___ with her boyfriend last night. (up)
- The protesters tried to break ___ the police line. (through)
2. Matching Exercise
Another way to practice phrasal verbs is to match them with their definitions. Here are some examples using the phrasal verbs with ‘break’:
| Phrasal Verb | Definition |
|---|---|
| Break down | Stop working (usually referring to a machine or vehicle) |
| Break out | Escape physically from someone or something |
| Break in | Enter a building or a room illegally |
| Break up | End a relationship |
| Break into | Enter a building or a room illegally to steal something |
| Break through | Overcome a barrier or obstacle |
3. Conversation Practice
One of the best ways to practice phrasal verbs is to use them in conversation. Here are some examples using the phrasal verbs with ‘break’:
- Have you ever had to break away from a toxic relationship or friendship?
- What do you do when your car breaks down on the highway?
- How do you feel when you hear that a couple has broken up?
- Have you ever witnessed a protest that tried to break through a police line?
By practicing these exercises, you’ll become more confident and knowledgeable in using the phrasal verbs with ‘break’.
The Mental Aspect of Using Phrasal Verbs with ‘Break’
As we learn and use phrasal verbs with ‘break’, we may encounter some mental challenges. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Stress: Learning new phrasal verbs can be stressful, especially if we’re not used to using them in our daily conversations. It’s important to take breaks and not get too overwhelmed.
- Break down: When we don’t understand a phrasal verb or its meaning, we may feel like we’re breaking down mentally. It’s important to take a step back and look up the definition or ask someone for help.
- Break out: Sometimes we may feel like we’re breaking out of our comfort zone when we use new phrasal verbs. It’s important to remember that this is a good thing and can help us improve our language skills.
- Break up: Using phrasal verbs can break up the monotony of our conversations and make them more interesting. It’s important to practice using them in different contexts to make sure we’re using them correctly.
- Break through: When we finally understand and start using a phrasal verb correctly, we may feel like we’ve broken through a mental barrier. It’s important to celebrate these small victories and continue to practice.
- Break away: Sometimes we may need to break away from our old language habits and start using phrasal verbs more often. It’s important to make a conscious effort to incorporate them into our conversations.
- Break off: If we’re having trouble using a phrasal verb correctly, it’s important to break off the conversation and take some time to study and practice. We can always come back to the conversation later.
- Break with: Using phrasal verbs can help us break with old language patterns and improve our fluency. It’s important to keep practicing and using them in different contexts.
Overall, learning and using phrasal verbs with ‘break’ can be mentally challenging, but with practice and patience, we can improve our language skills and communicate more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the phrasal verb ‘break out’ mean?
The phrasal verb ‘break out’ means to suddenly start or happen, often referring to something negative. For example, “A fire broke out in the building” or “The prisoners broke out of jail.”
What is the meaning of ‘break into’ as a phrasal verb?
‘Break into’ means to enter a building or a place without permission, usually with the intention of stealing something. For example, “Someone broke into my house last night and stole my laptop.”
What is the definition of ‘break off’ as a phrasal verb?
‘Break off’ means to stop something suddenly, often referring to a conversation or a relationship. For example, “They broke off their engagement last month” or “I had to break off our meeting because of an emergency.”
What are some examples of separable phrasal verbs?
Some examples of separable phrasal verbs include ‘break up,’ ‘pick up,’ and ‘turn off.’ In these cases, the object can come between the verb and the particle or follow the particle. For example, “I broke up with my girlfriend” or “I broke my phone up.”
What are some common phrasal verbs with the word ‘put’?
Some common phrasal verbs with the word ‘put’ include ‘put on,’ ‘put off,’ and ‘put up with.’ ‘Put on’ means to dress oneself in something, ‘put off’ means to postpone or delay something, and ‘put up with’ means to tolerate or endure something unpleasant.
What are some common phrasal verbs with the word ‘call’?
Some common phrasal verbs with the word ‘call’ include ‘call off,’ ‘call up,’ and ‘call out.’ ‘Call off’ means to cancel something, ‘call up’ means to phone someone, and ‘call out’ means to shout loudly to get someone’s attention.