meaning of break up, break off, break away, break down

[myrna]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #148 "Idioms with the phrasal verb break", question 1

After years of working for a shoddy employer I was finally able to ......... from that company and set up my own business.

(a) break off
(b) break away
(c) break out
(d) break up

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #148 "Idioms with the phrasal verb break", answer 1

After years of working for a shoddy employer I was finally able to break away from that company and set up my own business.

Correct answer: (b) break away

Your answer was: incorrect
After years of working for a shoddy employer I was finally able to break up from that company and set up my own business.
_________________________

meaning of break up, break off, break away, break down,

myrna

[Yankee]

Hi Myrna

This is a good website:
http://www.onelook.com/?w=&ls=b

Just enter the word or phrasal verb you're looking for and the OneLook will find it for you in various dictionaries:
http://www.onelook.com/?w=break+off&ls=b
http://www.onelook.com/?w=break+away&ls=b
http://www.onelook.com/?w=break+out&ls=b
http://www.onelook.com/?w=break+up&ls=b
http://www.onelook.com/?w=break+down&ls=b

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Mejcej]

Hi Myrna

You can also enter the word or phrase into a search engine, e.g. Google, MSN Search or Yahoo! Search..
They will provide you with several links which you can choose the appropriate one from.

[Shafqat]

Dear Alan,
What does mean of shoddy?

Regards
Khan

[Iasku]

Please explain me sir. What can i use here - "is" or "are".

Taking regular breaks from work ____ important for health and reduces stress.

[Beeesneees]

You need 'is' because it is not the plural 'breaks' that is the focus here but the singular concept of 'taking a break/breaks'.

If there were no 'taking' in the sentence, then you would use 'are', like this:
"Regular breaks from work are important for health and reduce stress.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Iasku]

I didn't understand. please explain more clearly.
And please tell me role of "breaks" and "work".

[Thredder]

You don't understand the concept of work Iasku? - lucky you!

If you work all day, you will need to take a break (to stop working temporarily and have a rest), either to help you physically (if your body is tired) or mentally (if your brain is tired). Working without stopping from time to time is bad for your health and will give you too much stress.

Does this help?

And BN is explaining that though 'breaks' [as a noun] are plural, 'taking breaks' [as an action] is singular.

so Regular breaks from work are healthy.... but Taking regular breaks from work is healthy.

Does this help?