Breath is a noun for the air you take in or let out. Breathe is the verb for taking in and letting out air. You take a breath and then breathe out.
Hear the difference
- “Take a deep breath before you begin.” The vowel sounds like the one in bed. The final th sounds like the one in thin.
- “The actor paused to breathe.” The vowel sounds like the one in bee. The final th sounds like the one in then.
Check the word’s job
An article such as a or a phrase such as out of can cue the noun, as in a breath or out of breath. A verb fits after to or can, as in to breathe or can breathe.
Try it
“The narrator stopped to ___ and delivered the last line in one ___.”
Show the answer
Use breathe for the action after to and breath for what one counts.
See also Loose vs. Lose.
