Cool MateBroken vs That ain't working
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Broken
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
That ain't working
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: BrokenMost common: Broken
| Broken | That ain't working | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈbrəʊkən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbrəʊkən/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæt eɪnt ˈwɜːkɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ðæt eɪnt ˈwɜrkɪŋ// |
| Meaning | not working or damaged | That is not functioning or effective. |
| Example | The window is broken and needs to be fixed. | I tried fixing it, but that ain't working at all. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, get, badly | that ain't right, that ain't fair, that ain't easy |
| Antonyms | whole, intact, fixed | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'broken' with 'broke' (the past tense of 'break'), Using 'broken' in a context where 'damaged' is more appropriate, Forget to use 'broken' with a noun (e.g. 'broken car' not just 'broken') | Using 'ain't' in formal writing., Confusing 'that' with 'this' when referring to immediate issues., Using the phrase without context; needs explanation. |
| Usage notes | Use 'broken' when describing items that are not functioning or are physically damaged. It is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. | This phrase is used in casual speech to indicate something isn't effective. Avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Broken vs That ain't working
What's the difference between Broken and That ain't working?
Broken: not working or damaged That ain't working: That is not functioning or effective.
Which is more formal: Broken and That ain't working?
Broken is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Broken and That ain't working?
Broken is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Broken: The window is broken and needs to be fixed. That ain't working: I tried fixing it, but that ain't working at all.
Can I use Broken and That ain't working interchangeably?
Not always. Broken and That ain't working are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.