Conjugation

Break down

se décomposer; décomposer

Irregular verb, phrasal verb.

  • Phrasal verb: down

    Only break changes; down stays the same: broke down, broken down.

  • Object in the middle

    The object can go before down, as the card writes it: break something down. A pronoun always does: break it down.

In speech, the helping verbs shorten: I’m, he’s, we’re, I’ve, I’ll, I’d.

Newbie

Enough to talk about now, the past, and your plans, and to give instructions.

  1. Present simple

    Habits, facts, and how things usually are. To say no or ask, add do or does: I don't break down, he doesn't break down.

    1. I / you / we / they break down
    2. he / she / it breaks down

  2. Present continuous

    What is happening now, and plans already arranged: we’re leaving tomorrow.

    1. I am breaking down
    2. you / we / they are breaking down
    3. he / she / it is breaking down

  3. Past simple

    A finished action at a past time: yesterday, in 2020. To say no or ask, add did: I didn't break down.

    1. I / you / he / she / it / we / they broke down

  4. Future with going to

    Plans and intentions, and what you can see coming: it’s going to rain.

    1. I am going to break down
    2. you / we / they are going to break down
    3. he / she / it is going to break down

  5. Imperative

    Orders, advice, and instructions. Let’s suggests doing it together. To say no: don't break down.

    1. (you) break down
    2. let's break down