Confusing Words: Breath (noun) and Breathe (verb)
Meaning:
Breath (the air taken into or expelled from the lungs)
Breathe (take air into the lungs and then expel it, especially as a regular physiological process.
Breath vs Breathe Clarification: Breath and breathe are two different words with different meanings and functions within sentences.
Breath vs Breathe – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
Both breath and breathe are correct words to use. They both have different meanings and functions. It means that you cannot use them interchangeably.
Breath and breathe are just one-letter apart. Breath is pronounced as “breth” whereas, breathe is pronounced as “breeth”.
Let me define each term separately so that you can easily differentiate between breath and breathe. I will also use these terms in example sentences to show out their functions within sentences.
Breath
Breath is used as a noun within sentences. It is used to refer the air that is inhaled or exhaled during respiration.
1. I was out of breath because I ran so fast to get you.
2. Can you hold your breath for about one minute?
3. I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart. I am. I am. I am. (Sylvia Plath)
Breathe
Unlike breath, breathe is works as a verb within sentences. Breathe means to bring air or oxygen in and out of the lungs. In simple words, it means inhaling or exhaling air.
1. The nurse informed him that the patient was not able to breathe well.
2. I can breathe fresh clean air in the green-grassy environment.
3. “Now I can’t breathe, so I have to do another surgery to repair my breathing,” he explained. “It’s just like when you start dyeing your hair.” (Yahoo Health)
Got the Difference?
The difference between breath and breathe is so simple to memorize. Breath is a noun that is the air or oxygen we inhale or exhale whereas, breathe is a verb that means to bring that air in and out of the lungs.
Breath = Noun
Breathe = Verb
You must be careful about their pronunciations. Breath is pronounced as ‘breth’ (as in shed). Breathe, on the other hand, is pronounced as ‘breeth ‘(as in cheese).
Quiz
I hope you are now clear with the above discussion. Now, test youself by filling the below sentences using breath or breathe.
1. I can hardly __________.
2. Take a deep _________ and relax.
3. _________ a sigh of relief.
4. Hold your _________; I am going to surprise you very soon.
(Answers at the end)
What Did You Learn?
Breath and breathe are two different words with different meanings and functions within sentences. Breath is a noun that is used to refer the air that is inhaled or exhaled during respiration. Breathe, on the other hand, is a verb meaning to bring that air in and out of the lungs.
Answers : 1. Breathe , 2. Breath , 3. Breathe , 4. Breath