[fface]

Hi susan,

What else can 'to be broken' be applicable to when it means 'not working'?

Thank you very much.

[susan53]

Any simple tool or instrument which isn't working properly or at all can be described as "broken". For example :

- Don't take any notice of that thermometer - it's broken.
- I didn't make a cake because my food mixer is broken.
- I'm sorry it's so hot in here. The fan is broken.

The more complex the system or machine, the more likely it is that "break down" will be used instead.

- I had to walk up eight flights of stairs because the lift had broken down.
- I'd offer you a lift, but my car has broken down

[fface]

Hi susan,

Can I use these expressions with toilets?

There's something wrong with the toilet.
The toilet is out of order.
The toilet isn't working.
The toilet is broken.
The toilet has broken down.

Thanks a lot.

[susan53]

"break down" is only used with machines. A toilet isn't a machine - so no. And The toilet is broken is less likely. But the others are fine.

[fface]

Quote susan53

And The toilet is broken is less likely.

Hi susan,

Could you please explain why? I'm confused.

Thanks for your help.

[susan53]

Probably because of what we discussed before - the ambigulty of the word broken : does it mean just not working or broken into pieces. And this case it isn't the toilet itself which is "broken" but the flushing mecahanism.
The toilet flush is broken. would be fine