Shadowing Practice: Phrasal verb prepositions: DOWN part 05: DOWN means NOT FUNCTIONING - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Hi everybody and welcome back.
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Today we're going to take another look at the preposition down and what it can mean when it's used with phrasal verbs.
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So, in a previous video, we saw that down can mean topple or collapse.
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And we can extend this to get the idea of not functioning or stop functioning.
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And the reason for this is that when something has collapsed or toppled, it's generally no longer functioning.
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So let's take a look at some examples of phrasal verbs that use down in this way.
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How do you think we could describe this using a phrasal verb with down in
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which down means not functioning or stop functioning.
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Here a car's engine breaks and stops functioning.
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So we can say, the car breaks down.
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Brakes means brake, and down means stop functioning.
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So the sentence just means, the car breaks and stops functioning.
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Okay, let's try another one.
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How do you think we could describe this using a phrasal verb with down?
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Here, a computer system suddenly stops working.
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So we can say, the computer system goes down.
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Goes means become, and down means not functioning.
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So the sentence can be understood as simply, the computer system becomes non-functioning.
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Alright, let's try one more.
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How do you think we could describe this?
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Here, a store closes and stops functioning.
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So we can say, the store closes down.
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Closes means close, and down means stop functioning.
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So the sentence can be understood as simply, the store closes and stops functioning, which English speakers understand as meaning,
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the store closes permanently, or the store closes forever.
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So I hope this helped you understand the preposition down a little bit better, and why it can sometimes mean not functioning.
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And we'll see you next time.
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Cheers.
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Thank you.

Master Phrasal Verbs with "Down" for Everyday English

In this lesson, you’ll practice phrasal verbs where "down" means "not functioning"—a common usage in daily conversations. You’ll learn how to describe broken engines, crashed computers, and closed stores using natural phrases, and get tips to practice speaking them fluently with shadowing.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Breaks down: When a machine stops working (e.g., "My car breaks down every week").
  • Goes down: For systems or services that stop functioning (e.g., "The Wi-Fi goes down during storms").
  • Closes down: When a business stops operating permanently (e.g., "The old café closed down last year").
  • Stop functioning: The core meaning of "down" in these phrases.
  • Permanently: A key nuance in "closes down" (not just temporary).

Practice Tips for Shadowing Success

The video’s tone is friendly and slow, making it perfect for shadowing—repeat each phrase right after the speaker to mimic rhythm and stress. Start by pausing after "The car breaks down" and copy the natural "break-DOWN" emphasis. For "The computer system goes down," focus on the smooth transition between "goes" and "down" (no pause!). Use a shadowing site to record yourself and compare—you’ll notice how "closes down" sounds different from just "closes" (longer, more final). Shadowing helps you internalize these phrases so they feel automatic, not forced. Try shadowing the dialogue 3-5 times, then make up your own sentences: "My phone breaks down when it’s cold" or "The library might close down." The more you practice, the easier it is to use these phrasal verbs in real life.

Whether you’re talking about tech issues or local businesses, mastering "down" as "not functioning" will make your English sound more natural. Grab a partner or use a shadow speak tool—you’ve got this!

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.