What is the Difference Between Breath and Breathe?

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The difference between "breath" and "breathe" lies in their grammatical functions: "breath" is a noun, while "breathe" is a verb.

  • Breathe: As a verb, "breathe" means to draw air into the lungs and expel it again. It refers to the process of inhaling and exhaling.
  • Breath: As a noun, "breath" refers to the air brought in and exhaled during the process of breathing. It can also be used to describe a full cycle of breathing or the act of breathing in general.

Both words are used in various idioms and expressions in English. For example:

  • "My boss is breathing down my neck" means "My boss is putting me under too much scrutiny".
  • "I can breathe easily now" means "I am relieved as a situation has been resolved".
  • "He breathed new life into the team" means "He reinvigorated the team".

To remember the difference, keep in mind that "breathe" has an /ee/ sound and an 'e' at the end, while "breath" does not have an 'e' at the end.

Comparative Table: Breath vs Breathe

The difference between "breath" and "breathe" lies in their grammatical roles and pronunciation. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Word Part of Speech Meaning Pronunciation
Breath Noun The air inhaled and exhaled during breathing. Pronounced with a short "e" sound and the "th" sound from "thing" at the end.
Breathe Verb To inhale and exhale air. Pronounced with a long "e" sound.

Examples:

  • Breathe: "She breathed in the fresh air." (verb)
  • Breath: "He took a deep breath." (noun)

Remember that "breathe" is a verb, and "breath" is a noun, and their pronunciations differ slightly due to the extra "e" in "breath".