[Grammar] Break Out, Break Down

[cowguy]

Are the phrases "break out" and "break down" the same with respect to data analysis?

1. "Researchers broke down the data"
2. "Researchers broke out the data"

Could both sentences mean the same thing?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Are the phrases "break out" and "break down" the same with respect to data analysis?

1. "Researchers broke down the data"
2. "Researchers broke out the data"

Could both sentences mean the same thing?

No. In that context, "broke down" means to analyze it in an attempt to understand it. "Broke out" means to publish it, promote it.

 

[probus]

There are no standard definitions for these phrases. They might possibly mean the same thing. To me "break down the data" is pretty clear: it means to analyze the data and derive conclusions from it. "Break out the data" is much less clear. It might mean to arrange the data into categories as a preliminary to full analysis.

But no clear answer is possible without more context.

 

[cowguy]

So, in this passage from wikipedia:

"The charge for California Redemption Value is similar to deposits used in other states, but is technically a tax imposed on the distributor of the beverage. The tax tends to be passed along to the retailer and to the consumer via normal market forces. Distributors and retailers usually break out the CRV as a distinct part of the purchase price in advertising and on receipts (for example the charge for a 50-cent bottle of soda may appear on the receipt as "45 cents plus 5 cents CRV")."

"break out" could be replaced with "break down"?

 

[MikeNewYork]

So, in this passage from wikipedia:

"The charge for California Redemption Value is similar to deposits used in other states, but is technically a tax imposed on the distributor of the beverage. The tax tends to be passed along to the retailer and to the consumer via normal market forces. Distributors and retailers usually break out the CRV as a distinct part of the purchase price in advertising and on receipts (for example the charge for a 50-cent bottle of soda may appear on the receipt as "45 cents plus 5 cents CRV")."

"break out" could be replaced with "break down"?

No.

 

[bhaisahab]

Thread closed. Clone of banned user.