Cool MateBreakdown vs Failure
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Breakdown
Failure
| Breakdown | Failure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfeɪljə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfeɪljər/"]/ |
| Meaning | A failure or collapse of something, like a machine or system. | not succeeding in something |
| Example | The breakdown of the car left us stranded on the highway. | His failure to meet the deadline cost the company a valuable contract. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | mechanical, occur, service, truck, vehicle, serious, complete, irretrievable, cause, lead to, prevent, breakdown in, breakdown of, detailed, full, cost, prepare, give somebody, provide (somebody with), breakdown by, breakdown of, emotional, mental, nervous, have, suffer, the brink of a nervous breakdown, the edge of a nervous breakdown, the verge of a nervous breakdown | complete, total, abject, be doomed to, end in, result in, rate, fear of failure, a history of failure, a possibility of failure, big, great, serious, be, represent, prove, arise from something, failure of, fundamental, general, manifest, excuse, justify, constitute, mechanical, structural, technical, cause, lead to, result in, occur, failure in, mechanical, structural, technical, cause, lead to, result in, occur, failure in, mechanical, structural, technical, cause, lead to, result in, occur, failure in |
| Antonyms | repair, fix, solution | success, achievement, victory |
| Common mistakes | Using 'breakdown' instead of 'break down' as a verb phrase., Confusing 'breakdown' with 'breakthrough', which has a very different meaning., Using 'breakdown' in contexts where a different term, like 'failure', is more specific. | Using 'failure' as a verb instead of a noun., Confusing 'failure' with 'fault,' thinking they mean the same., Not using appropriate prepositions, such as saying 'failure of' instead of 'failure to.' |
| Usage notes | Use 'breakdown' when talking about mechanical failures or emotional collapse. It’s appropriate in both technical and everyday contexts. Avoid using it in formal writing about unrelated topics. | Use 'failure' to describe a lack of success in a specific endeavor. Avoid in very formal documents unless necessary. In casual conversations, 'failure' can sound heavy; people may prefer 'not succeeding.' |
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Frequently asked questions: Breakdown vs Failure
What's the difference between Breakdown and Failure?
Breakdown: A failure or collapse of something, like a machine or system. Failure: not succeeding in something
Which is more common: Breakdown and Failure?
Failure is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Breakdown and Failure?
Breakdown is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Breakdown and Failure the same CEFR level?
Breakdown: C1, Failure: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Breakdown and Failure?
Breakdown: noun, Failure: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Breakdown: The breakdown of the car left us stranded on the highway. Failure: His failure to meet the deadline cost the company a valuable contract.
Can I use Breakdown and Failure interchangeably?
Not always. Breakdown and Failure 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.