Apply the brakes or put the brakes on

[Tom]

Hello Everybody

What is the better word to apply?

1- The driver could not put the brake
2- The driver could not apply the brake.

ps: is BRAKES also correct?

Thanks
Tom

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

You put the brake(s) ON.
You apply the brake(s).

Alan

PS Your question should be: What is the better/best word to USE?
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A spring in your step

[Tom]

Thank you, Alan.

Forgive my poor comprehension skills but:

Are brake and brakes the same thing in a car? E.g

1- The driver could not put on the brake.
2- The driver could not put on the brakes.

Thank you again

TOm

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

Well, there could be a number of variables involved (context ). Here's my opinion:

If you're talking about the emergency brake (hand brake) in a car, then I'd always use the singular. And I think I would be more likely to use "put on" (and not "apply") when referring to the emergency brake (hand brake).

If a person is thinking in terms of the one brake pedal in a car, then he/she might also say "brake" --- even though this pedal operates more than one brake. I myself usually say "brakes".

If there was an emergency situation, and the brakes didn't work or the driver didn't have time to use the brakes, then using the word "brake" as a verb is also possible:
"The driver wasn't able to brake."

Amy

[Jamie (K)]

I agree with Amy, except that you can say "apply" with any brake on the car. "Apply" is more formal here than "put on".

The main brake mechanism in a car is almost always called "the brakes". You can also slam on the brakes in an emergency. That means to step very hard and quickly on the brakes. You can ease on the brakes, which means to apply them very gently. When you're ready to drive again, you let up on the brakes. If you let up slowly, you ease up on the brakes.

Some people ride the brakes, which means that they always have one foot on the brake pedal when they drive, even when they don't have to stop. It's a very expensive habit, and it's very annoying for a careful driver to drive behind someone who rides the brake.

Sometimes we pump the brakes. That is when we're skidding on ice or wet pavement. It means we apply them and let up on them very quickly, again and again. (People with ABS on their cars don't have to do this. In fact, they shouldn't do it!)

If an American tells you, That's the brakes, or Them's the brakes, that means, "That's the situation now, and you can't do anything about it."

Do you want me to start on the clutch?

[Yankee]

Hi Jamie

I agree with what you wrote about brakes except that I would have applied "the breaks" in one case: "That's/Them's the breaks".

Amy

[Tom]

THANK YOU, JAMIE A LOT

Let me digest BRAKES first, then I could go for the clutch

Take care

TOM