Grammar Entry 661 / 1011 60-second read

Baited breath vs. Bated breath

BATED = abated.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

I waited with baited breath.

✓ Correct

I waited with bated breath.

The ruleii

BATED BREATH (from abate).

BATED is a shortened form of ABATED — held back. Your breath is reduced.

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

Shakespeare coined it (Merchant of Venice).

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