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1 min read
Collin O'Brien
June 10, 2024
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1 min read

"Breath" vs. "Breathe"

How long can you hold your breath? Or maybe you're more into deep breathing techniques?Learn the difference between "breath" and "breathe" and understand how to use these words correctly in various contexts.
"Breath" vs. "Breathe"

"Breath" vs. "Breathe"

How long can you hold your breath? Or maybe you're more into deep breathing techniques? In today's article, we'll discuss the difference between "breath" and "breathe" in English to help you relax and breathe easy.

"Breath"

The word "breath" refers to the air that you take into your lungs when you inhale and let out when you exhale. It is a noun and can be used in various contexts related to the air moving in and out of your lungs.

"Take a deep breath before you start speaking."

"His breath smells like coffee."

"Paula could see her breath in the cold winter air."

Woman's breath seen in cold air as vapor

The term "breath" also refers to instances of breathing, such as taking a deep breath. For example,

"The baby's breath was gentle and rhythmic."

"After running up the hill, she paused to catch her breath."

"He took a deep breath before diving into the pool."

"Breathe"

On the flip side, "breathe" is a verb. It describes the action of taking in air and expelling it from the lungs.

"Just breathe calmly to relax."

"It's hard to breathe in smoggy air."

"Fish breathe oxygen dissolved in water through their gills."

 

It is also used to describe the act of relaxing or calming down Some examples include:

"Athletes learn to breathe efficiently during exercise."

Footballer breathing steadily

"She loves to breathe in the fresh mountain air every morning."

"After the stressful meeting, Jared stepped outside to breathe and clear his mind."

 

Knowing the difference between "breath" and "breathe" helps you talk about everything from how long you can hold your breath to how to breathe correctly during exercises. So, take a deep breath, let go of your doubts, and feel confident that you've got this!

 

If you're all about getting the best tips on the English language, "Daily Dose of Denglisch Docs" is your next stop. Check it out! Don't be shy.