Machine has broken down vs Machine breaks down

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Machine has broken down' is used to describe a past event where the machine stopped working, while 'machine breaks down' is used to talk about a habitual or repeated action of the machine stopping working.

Last updated: April 09, 2024 • 1286 views

Machine has broken down

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe a past event where the machine stopped working.

This phrase is used to talk about a specific event in the past when the machine stopped working.

Examples:

The machine has broken down, and we need to call the technician.
I can't use the printer because it has broken down.
The car has broken down on the highway.

Show examples from the web [+]

Machine has broken down
The washing machine has broken down.
Delivery terms are intended in working days and suspended in case of force majeure, including possible stops due to machine broken down.
What will we do if the machine is broken down?
In many instances, still dripping wet is actually triggered because of the following exhausted silicone washing machines, broken down O-rings, unfastened valves, broken down threads, as well as key deterioration involving interior factors.
And when you give up what's left of your broken down Machine, your friends will be next.
Machines that cannot be broken down into parts that can serve, in turn, as machines.
Wait... we have no clue where we are flying over the sea in this broken down machine?
Leonardo planned to devote an entire treatise to these elements, in which he would have broken down machines into their basic '"organs" and used quantitative methods to study their characteristics and performances.
There was this broken MRI machine down in the basement.
Their car has broken down and they have a garage.
The retched Aga has broken down.
His carriage has broken down in the rain.
Once again, the communication process has broken down.
Dear Vaso, the bendex has broken down.
The EU's asylum policy has broken down.
Growth has broken down in the Union.
The introduction of new technologies, computers and telecommunications has broken down barriers and transcended borders.
Because the educational project has broken down.
Asbestos becomes dangerous when it has broken down into small fibers and is inhaled.
An articulated heavy goods vehicle has broken down on the Mortlake road, and the traffic is...

Alternatives:

The machine broke down yesterday.
The machine stopped working.
The machine malfunctioned.
The machine ceased to function.
The machine failed.

Machine breaks down

This phrase is correct and commonly used to talk about a habitual or repeated action of the machine stopping working.

This phrase is used to describe a recurring or habitual action of the machine stopping working.

Examples:

The machine breaks down every time we try to use it.
Our old printer breaks down frequently.
The car breaks down on long trips.

Show examples from the web [+]

And when the machine breaks down, we break down.
RON: My machine breaks down, and they're ready to cut my leg off.
If the machine breaks down, we break down.
The only thing that really worries her is when a machine breaks down.
Set up maintenance plans for your production machines and launch maintenance orders, either scheduled or when a machine breaks down and needs corrective maintenance.
The machine breaks down.
The machine breaks down.
Obviously we have issues of overcrowding, we're underfunded, and sometimes the machine breaks down.
Downtimes are therefore kept to a minimum. Nevertheless, if a machine breaks down we are able to provide you with prompt assistance.
Check the box, if the machine breaks down, repair it.

Alternatives:

The machine keeps breaking down.
The machine is always breaking down.
The machine frequently stops working.
The machine is prone to breakdowns.
The machine has a history of breaking down.

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