Hello,
Can we use "break down" to describe a situation where a lawnmower is not working? Or should it be just "break"?
Since my lawnmower [broke/broke down], I have had to pay someone to cut the grass.
Thank you.
Nawee
for conversational English which is in some ways more relaxed, either sentence is ok.
Since my lawnmower broke, I have had to pay someone to cut the grass.
Since my lawnmower broke down, I have had to pay someone to cut the grass.
But the second is a bit more polished sounding.
Sincerely,
-Les
I'd say 'My lawnmower broke' if part of it fell off, and 'My lawnmower broke down' if the electric motor stopped working.
Rover
"Broke down" is for more complex machinery or systems. A lawnmower qualifies as such in my opinion. I would probably say "broke down" in this case, but "broke" is not wrong.
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