Irregular verb
The verb to break
break → broke → broken
A2Meaning: to make something go into pieces; to stop working · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 50 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they break·he/she/it breaks - Past Simple:
broke - Past participle:
broken(different from the Past Simple) - -ing form:
breaking
Conjugation of the verb to break
Present Simple
| I | break |
| You | break |
| He / She / It | breaks |
| We | break |
| You (pl.) | break |
| They | break |
Past Simple
| I | broke |
| You | broke |
| He / She / It | broke |
| We | broke |
| You (pl.) | broke |
| They | broke |
All the forms of the verb to break
Present Simple
Full pagebreak / breaks
“I never break promises.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are breaking
“I am breaking the chocolate into pieces right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagebroke
“I broke my phone yesterday.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were breaking
“I was breaking the chocolate into pieces when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has broken
“I have already broken the chocolate into pieces.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad broken
“She had already broken the chocolate into pieces when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill break
“I will break the chocolate into pieces tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to break
“I'm going to break the chocolate into pieces this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould break
“I would break the chocolate into pieces if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to break
1. Breaking something
Break the rules means to do something that the rules do not allow.
- I broke my phone.
- Don't break the rules.
2. Taking a break
Take a break means to stop for a short rest.
- Let's take a break.
3. Phrasal verbs: break up / break down
Break up means to end a relationship. Break down means to stop working (a car, a machine), or to start crying.
- They broke up last week.
- My car broke down.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Broken is also a common adjective
A broken window, a broken heart, broken English (English with many mistakes). We use broken a lot to describe things: My phone is broken.
2. Break is also a noun
As a noun, a break is a short rest or a pause. A coffee break is a short pause at work. Take a break means to stop and rest. In the US, spring break is a school holiday in spring.
Going further
Conjugating to break is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
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Practise on PLAYYou can conjugate to break. Now say it out loud.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of break?+
The Past Simple of break is broke. The past participle is broken. Break → broke → broken.
What does break up mean?+
Break up means to end a relationship, or to separate. They broke up after five years. It can also mean to stop a fight: The teacher broke up the fight.
What does break down mean?+
Break down has several meanings. 1. To stop working (a machine or a car): My car broke down. 2. To start crying and lose control of your feelings: She broke down in tears. 3. To divide into small parts to study it: Let's break down the problem.
What does I'm broke mean?+
I'm broke means I have no money. It is informal. Don't confuse it with the Past Simple broke: I broke my phone. The context tells you which one it is.
Is it broke or breaked?+
Say broke. Break is irregular, like speak → spoke and wake → woke. Its Past Simple is broke and its past participle is broken. Breaked does not exist.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/break
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.