broke

Everyday

1. Broke is the past form of break: I broke the window. tree →
2. Broke (informal) means having no money: I'm broke until my next pocket money. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, «broke» tells the reader something cracked, snapped or stopped working in the past, or a rule or promise was not kept (broke the rules, broke a promise). In science: the glass broke into pieces. In sport: she broke the record (did better than before). Phrases: broke down (stopped working or started crying), broke out (started suddenly or escaped), broke up (ended, or school finished for holidays in the UK), broke the record.

Examples

• I broke my arm when I fell off my bike. tree →
• The vase fell and broke. tree →
• He broke his promise. tree →
• Our car broke down on the motorway. tree →
• A fire broke out in the kitchen. tree →
• She broke the school record for running. tree →
• We broke up for the summer holidays. tree →
• I spent all my money, so I'm broke. tree →
• And the mace broke in two. tree →

Note

Broke is past simple; broken is the past participle: «I broke it» but «It is broken» / «I have broken it». Never say «I have broke». «Broke» meaning «no money» is slang; in school writing use «had no money».

In Jewish tradition

In stories, «broke» tells the reader something cracked, snapped or stopped working in the past, or a rule or promise was not kept (broke the rules, broke a promise). In science: the glass broke into pieces. In sport: she broke the record (did better than before). Phrases: broke down (stopped working or started crying), broke out (started suddenly or escaped), broke up (ended, or school finished for holidays in the UK), broke the record.

Examples

• And all the people broke off the golden rings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. (Torah EXO.32.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I took hold of the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes. (Torah DEU.9.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and broke every tree of the field. (Torah EXO.9.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he broke them from off his arms like a thread. (Prophets JDG.16.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thus they provoked Him with their doings, and the plague broke in upon them. (Writings PSA.106.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he broke down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city. (Prophets JDG.8.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Broke is past simple; broken is the past participle: «I broke it» but «It is broken» / «I have broken it». Never say «I have broke». «Broke» meaning «no money» is slang; in school writing use «had no money».