Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
person who greets visitors or clients on the telephone and upon their arrival
headquarters
receptionist
landscaper
flexibility
TOEIC prep test: Word quizzes: Free Online Nouns Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

What does break down mean?



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
tomorrow night vs. today night | meaning of teas
Message Author
What does break down mean? Mon Apr 23, 2007 20:11 pm  What does break down mean?
 

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #148 "Idioms with the phrasal verb break", question 8

Teachers in Sydney have decided to call a snap strike next week after negotiations with the State Government over a ten per cent pay increase ......... early this morning.

(a) broke into
(b) broke down
(c) broke open
(d) broke up

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #148 "Idioms with the phrasal verb break", answer 8

Teachers in Sydney have decided to call a snap strike next week after negotiations with the State Government over a ten per cent pay increase broke down early this morning.

Correct answer: (b) broke down
_________________________

Why do you use break for this message?

Yolana
Yolana
Guest





What does break down mean? Wed Apr 25, 2007 0:45 am  What does break down mean?
 

.
The idiomatic phrasal verb is break down = collapse; destroy; cease to be useful, effective, or operable.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber
Mister Micawber
Language Coach
Mr. Micawber

Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 4646
Location: Yokohama, Japan

English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsHow many different ways with words do you know? Subscribe to free email English courseAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Want to learn about the future tenses? Read this story and smile
What does break down mean? Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:37 am  What does break down mean?
 

Quote:
Teachers in Sydney have decided to call a snap strike next week after negotiations with the State Government over a ten per cent pay increase broke down early this morning

Hi, Mister Micawber

Could you explain to me why there is no definite article before negotiations?
In my opinion there should be the, because we're talking here about quite definite negotiations (which took place in the past), not about negotiations in general?

thanks
_________________
Alex

How much upchuck would a woodchuck upchuck if a woodchuck could upchuck ?

(a guy from Russia)
Lost_Soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1861
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA

What does break down mean? Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:27 am  What does break down mean?
 

With a plural noun (with "s"), "the" is left out since it's not necessary and is clumsy.
Diverhank
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 25 Apr 2007
Posts: 331
Location: California, USA

What does break down mean? Wed Apr 25, 2007 20:20 pm  What does break down mean?
 

Hi lost_soul,

The point is that negotiations here are general. The article 'the' is used before 'State Government', which is where the specfic idea come in. You could say: I am having/I had discussions with the manager about my salary.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Indirect Speech
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 7583
Location: UK

Display posts from previous:   
tomorrow night vs. today night | meaning of teas
ESL Forums | English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests) What does break down mean? All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
What does few, little and some mean?Where can I learn something about gerunds?What is the difference between "check-in counter" and "arrival?meaning of economic circumstanceswhy should't we use "get away with" here?Our house has 3 bedrooms vs. Our house is with 3 bedrooms'Would you like some more tea?' vs. 'Do you like some more tea?'When did you talk vs. When does you talkmeaning of 'fed up'meaning of courtThrow in the towel? What does it mean? It it an idiom?What does flag up mean? Is it an idiom?What does malformed mean?What does lurking mean?What does litter mean?Is it that you put in the second article by mistake?Why can't I say "today morning"? Why is it incorrect?What does this idiom mean 'to be on a high'?What does break down mean?

Discover English-test.net
Crack of day...crack of dawnI think it should be: "Do you like Microsoft or Macintossh computers?"Expression: 'I like it! I'd had...'"Why" and "How come"Am I right? (usage of just)Free GRE Test: Vocabulary Exercises: Examples of Nouns VerbsGRE test: Word games: Free Online Nouns Verbs GameDefine writ, seclusion, malingerer, genealogy, terminus, igniteVocab words: English verbs nounsFree EFL Quiz Online: Renting a placeBusiness continuity management: The White MetalStar Wars: The New Jedi Order: Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse audiobook download

 
You can post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail