|
Greek Professor
|
BREAK IN OR BREAK INTO.
|
Hi, I need some help.
I came across a multiple choice question...with:
break in and break into...answer? break into.
Could you please tell me the difference in usage?
Thanks in advance
|
2 Apr 2013
|
|
|
|
dmharg
|
|
when it refers to burglary both are correct
|
2 Apr 2013
|
|
|
Greek Professor
|
AAA.....it seems you didn �t read my message well....
multiple choice questions ONLY have ONE answer...so only one is right...
and it does refer to burglary..but break into is correct... |
2 Apr 2013
|
|
|
MoodyMoody
|
|
To expand on dmharg �s answer, both are used as verbs to mean using force to enter a building or vehicle that doesn �t belong to you. However, "break in" can also be used as a noun (at least in the USA), but "break into" is never used as a noun. Example: "My parents had a break in two years ago while they were at church." (This is also a true statement.) |
2 Apr 2013
|
|
|
dmharg
|
|
Oh yes, I agree with MoodyMoody. I completely forgot the noun. Anyway the phrasal verb is usually written in vocabularies break in(to) |
2 Apr 2013
|
|
|
Greek Professor
|
|
Moody...:) Thanks dear...I know that too...
I looked them up in the dictionary and i found the two meanings...and in both meanings they had had the same sentences...
break in break into...
in the same sentence...so...???
|
2 Apr 2013
|
|
|
dmharg
|
|
what is the sentence. Write it down. The sentence in your multiple choice with the blank. Have to go now. see you in a couple of hours :)
|
2 Apr 2013
|
|
|
Greek Professor
|
|
Dictionary: meaning to both - to enter a building by using force Sentence: Thieves broke in/into the bank vault by digging a tunnel
Book mcq - My neighbour got her apartment .............while she was at the opera.
a) broken in b) broken off c) broken into d) broken up with
|
2 Apr 2013
|
|
|
IbuLulu
|
In this passive form, if something is broken in you use or wear or tame something new (eg wearing a new pair of shoes to break them in), but if something is broken into it is burgled.
You can �t say an apartment is broken in to mean burgled. I think break in (burgle) is only used without an object, while break into requires an object... thinking aloud...
|
2 Apr 2013
|
|
|
mariflo
|
IbuLulu is right. I �ve just checked Merriam-Webster. It gives break in as an intransitive verb :
1 : to enter something (as a building or computer system) without consent or by force eg.
<the burglars broke in by smashing a window> whereas break into takes an object. Hope it helps
|
2 Apr 2013
|
|
|
|
