What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
breathing
Example
Yoga teaches different techniques for deep breathing. [breathing: noun]
Example
She took a deep breath and started speaking. [breath: noun]
exhalation
Example
After holding her breath, she let out a long exhalation. [exhalation: noun]
Example
The doctor instructed him to practice slow exhalations to reduce stress. [exhalations: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Breathing is a more common and widely used term in everyday language, while exhalation is less common and more specific.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between breathing and exhalation?
Both breathing and exhalation can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, exhalation may have a slightly more formal or technical connotation compared to the more general term breathing.