italki - When a light bulb doesn’t work anymore - for native English speakers What do you personally say when

Mikkel

When a light bulb doesn’t work anymore - for native English speakers What do you personally say when a light bulb has stopped working? I once read about some ways one can express it, but I don’t know if it’s what people actually say: 1. The bulb has blown 2. The bulb is burned out 3. The bulb is dead 4. The bulb is gone Thanks for your help!

Sep 14, 2017 11:06 AM

Answers · 9

'Blown' if you're talking about the fuse or filament, especially if you've observed it 'blow'. 'Gone' or 'dead' would also work colloquially. I wouldn't say 'burned/burnt out', but I believe that this is used in AE. For me, I think that 'gone' sounds most natural. "Damn it! Another bulb's gone. Anyone know where the spares are?".

September 14, 2017

Thanks Chris.

September 14, 2017

Personally (south east UK) - blown or dead. Generally the bulb is blown if I saw it stop working and dead if not. If somebody said the bulb had gone I'd ask them where it went ;-)

September 14, 2017

Thanks P Carlisle

September 14, 2017

I would say the light bulb is burned out. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "dead" or "gone" to describe a light bulb that stopped working. I am from the United States, and from the South specifically, if that helps add context.

September 14, 2017

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