What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
alive
Example
The flowers are still alive despite the harsh weather. [alive: adjective]
Example
I'm so glad you're alive after the accident. [alive: adverb]
Example
The party was alive with music and dancing. [alive: adjective]
breathing
Example
She could hear him breathing heavily on the other end of the phone. [breathing: present participle]
Example
The patient is breathing on their own now. [breathing: verb]
Example
The concert was so exciting, the crowd was breathing as one. [breathing: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alive is more commonly used than breathing in everyday language, as it is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between alive and breathing?
Both alive and breathing are generally informal words, but breathing may be used more often in medical or technical contexts, where a more formal tone is required.
