Question 1

What does DOWN add to a phrasal verb?

Accepted Answer

The particle "down" adds several meanings to phrasal verbs. The most straightforward is downward movement: "sit down" (lower yourself to a seat), "lie down" (rest flat), "fall down" (drop to the ground). It also means decrease or reduction: "slow down" (go more slowly), "turn down" (reduce volume), "calm down" (become less excited or upset). A third meaning is recording: "write down" (note on paper), "put down" (record in writing). Finally, "down" can mean stopping or failing: "break down" (a machine stops working), "close down" (a business stops permanently). Understanding these patterns helps you guess the meaning of new phrasal verbs with "down," even if you have not seen them before.

Question 2

What is the difference between break down and break up?

Accepted Answer

"Break down" and "break up" share the verb "break" but the different particles give them very different meanings. "Break down" means a machine stops working ("The car broke down on the motorway"), a person becomes very upset ("She broke down in tears"), or a system fails ("Communication broke down between the two sides"). "Break up" means a relationship ends ("They broke up after two years"), something is divided into parts ("Break up the chocolate into small pieces"), or a school term ends ("We break up for the summer holidays on Friday"). Both are inseparable in most of their meanings. Context always tells you which meaning is intended.

Question 3

How do I use turn down correctly?

Accepted Answer

"Turn down" has two main meanings that learners need to know. First, it means to reduce the level of something, usually sound or heat: "Turn down the music — it's too loud" or "Could you turn down the heating?" Second, it means to refuse or reject an offer, invitation, or request: "He turned down the job because the salary was too low." Both uses are separable: "Turn the volume down" and "Turn it down" are correct. With the refusal meaning, the object is usually the thing being refused: "She turned down their invitation." This phrasal verb is common in business English ("turn down a proposal") and daily life ("turn down the radio"). Cambridge B2 First exam often tests both meanings.

Phrasal Verbs with DOWN Exercises

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-ed vs -ing Adjectives

Conditionals

Present Perfect

Reported Speech

Passive Voice

Past Simple