Breath vs. Breathe: What is the Difference?
Do you know the difference between breath and breathe? Even native speakers mess this one up. Breath vs. breathe is a dilemma we shouldn’t be having, so let’s settle it once and for all. Apart from that extra "e", the main difference between the words breath and breathe is how they are used in a sentence and pronounced. Once we learn the difference between breath and breathe, we can end the confusion.
Breath vs. Breathe: What is the Difference?
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| Breath vs. Breathe |
Breath /breθ/
Breath is a noun. The breath is the air that we let out through our mouths when we breathe.
Keep in mind that the word breath, pronounced /BRETH/, has no "e" at the end.
Breath in a sentence:
- Her breath smelled of garlic.
- You could smell the whisky on her breath.
- Your breath stinks did you eat garlic?
- She could feel his warm breath against her cheek.
Breathe /briːð/
Breathe is a verb. When someone breathes, they take air into their lungs and let it out again.
The word breathe, pronounced /BREETHE/, has an "e" at the end.
Breathe in a sentence:
- Always breathe through your nose.
- We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.
- The atmosphere in the room was so airless I could hardly breathe.
- My trainer told me to breathe in deeply and then breathe out slowly.
I hope you've learned the difference between breath and breathe. And now you can use these two words confidently.