The English language contains many words that are similar in both spelling and meaning but are used differently. Understanding the differences in these types of words will help you in both your reading and writing. In this lesson, we will compare the words ''breath'' and ''breathe.'' Breath vs. Breathe Small spelling differences can make a big difference in your writing. Forgetting a letter, or adding one too many, can change the meaning, make your writing confusing, and undermine your credibility as a writer.
The difference between 'breath' and 'breathe' is a classic example. They only have one letter difference, and they mean similar things, but they actually have completely different jobs in a sentence. That is because they are different parts of speech, meaning they have different functions in a sentence. Using the wrong word will make your whole sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing to the reader.
Take a Breath In 'Breath' (rhymes with death) is a noun, and as you probably remember, a noun is a person place or thing. It describes the thing, the air, that comes into and goes out of your lungs when you breathe, which is what makes it a noun. The sentences below show the proper usage of the word breath:
