Today we will look at two words that are often confused: breathe and breath.
Breathe, with the e at the end, has a long ee sound in the middle like the words feel or deep.
Breathe is a verb. It shows action.
Here are some sentences with the word breathe:
I breathe through my mouth when my nose is stuffed up.
Try not to breathe the smoky air.
It’s hard to breathe when your face is covered.
Do you hear the long e sound in the word breathe? Do you see how the word is used as a verb showing action?
Breath does not have an e at the end. Breath has a short e sound like the words bed and Beth.
Breath is a noun. It names the thing that you suck into your body.
Here are some sentences with the word breath:
Take a deep breath of the fresh spring air.
I can barely catch my breath after running up that hill.
On a cold morning, I can see my breath in the air.
Do you hear the short e sound in the word breath? Do you see how it is used as a noun naming a thing?
When you want to tell the difference between breathe and breath, remember that breathe has an extra e at the end which gives the word a long ee sound. Breathe is something you do. Breath is the thing you take in when you breathe. I take a deep breath when I breathe.