breathing

USAGE SUMMARY

"breathing" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You could use it when describing a person's physical activity, as in, "The diver slowly emerged from the water, his breathing even and steady."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile Mrs Prada – the living, breathing personification of the word zeitgeist – sent out invitations to view her new collections (notice the plural).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Kaarma's girlfriend, Janelle Pflager, said in a 911 call played for jurors Friday that Dede was lying face down and "barely breathing" after Kaarma shot him.

The Guardian

Breathing through the anus allows nymphs to propel themselves through the water with a sudden, turbo-charged burst of speed to escape predators.

The Guardian

Come on.'" The experience of the movie's producer – a Mr Sepp Blatter – breathing down his neck appears not to have been creatively ideal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Norovirus, the deepening difficulty of ensuring hospital rotas are fully staffed and the potential for bad weather producing a surge in patients with breathing trouble – the scenario the NHS fears worst – underlie why Hunt last week increased the extra money available to the service to cope with winter from £400m to £700m.

The Guardian

Listen to the line: "All my cares just drift right into space", and how the word "space" sounds precisely like breathing out slowly and looking up at a huge blue sky.

The Guardian - Music

In 1989, with the inspired, groundbreaking single Fools Gold and the loose grooves of their debut album, they gave British rock a future, restoring the legacy of the 1960s with a jangling guitar sound and breathing new life into it with the energy of dance music.

The Guardian - Music

Schlepping Australian novels with me to Italy became a private ritual, and never, ever have I felt as happy as when mired in the gentle sea and sunshine beside the Mediterranean while breathing in the literature of an the island continent where I grew up, a place I knew intimately but, somehow, preferred from afar.

The Guardian - Opinion

US secretary of state John Kerry arrives in the Holy Land this week on his fourth visit in two months amid deepening scepticism on all sides about his chances of breathing life back into the moribund peace process, and an acknowledgement by European diplomats that there is no "Plan B" in place in the event of its failure.

The Guardian

But you may prefer to loll by the pool, breathing in the scent of jasmine.

The Guardian - Travel

Only goal difference (thankfully it is hugely superior) gives them breathing space over Greece.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, use "breathing" to describe the functioning of respiratory systems, whether in humans or machines.

Common error

Avoid using "breathing" when you mean "breath". "Breathing" is the process, while "breath" is a single instance of inhaling or exhaling. For example, say "take a breath" not "take a breathing".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "breathing" is as a gerund or present participle, acting as a noun or adjective. It describes the act of respiration or a quality related to it, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Lifestyle

12%

Sport

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Opinion

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Breathing" is a versatile term frequently used to describe the process of respiration, functioning both as a gerund and a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in News & Media, Lifestyle and Sport contexts, "breathing" can also describe the function of respiratory systems, whether in humans or machines. When writing, it's essential to differentiate between "breathing" (the process) and "breath" (a single instance). Common alternatives include "inhaling" and "respiration". The expert rating underscores its consistent and clear usage, making it a reliable term in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respiration

A more formal and scientific term for breathing.

inhaling

Focuses on the intake of air, a component of breathing.

exhaling

Focuses on the expulsion of air, a component of breathing.

taking a breath

Emphasizes the action of inhaling once.

drawing breath

Highlights the effort or action of inhaling.

ventilation

Refers to the process of air exchange, often in a mechanical context.

air intake

Focuses on the process of taking in air.

catching one's breath

Indicates recovering from exertion or surprise.

respiratory activity

Describes the general activity of the respiratory system.

pulmonary function

Relates to the functioning of the lungs in respiration.

FAQs

How to use "breathing" in a sentence?

"Breathing" can be used to describe the act of respiration, as in "Deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress", or to describe a quality, as in "a living, breathing example".

What can I say instead of "breathing"?

You can use alternatives like "inhaling", "exhaling", or "respiration" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "breathing" or "breath"?

"Breathing" refers to the process of respiration, while "breath" is a single instance of inhaling or exhaling. Use "breathing" when describing the ongoing action and "breath" for a single inhalation or exhalation.

Is "breathing" a verb or a noun?

"Breathing" can function as both a verb (specifically, a gerund or present participle) and a noun. As a verb, it describes the act of respiring. As a noun, it refers to the process of respiration itself.