One is the device that stops a vehicle, the other means to shatter or a rest.
Noun/verb. The mechanism that slows or stops a vehicle. Also the act of slowing down.
She hit the brake hard to avoid the dog.
The mechanic said the brakes needed replacing.
Brake slowly when the road is wet.
Verb: to fracture or shatter. Noun: a pause, rest, or interval.
Be careful, or you will break that glass.
Let's take a ten-minute break.
She broke the world record by two seconds.
Common mistake
Writing 'brake' when talking about rest or shattering. Common mistake: "I need a brake" (meaning a rest) instead of "I need a break".
Trick to remember it
'Brake' has an A for 'auto' to stop a vehicle. 'Break' ends in EAK like 'weak', and weak things break.
Quick rule
If you are talking about stopping a vehicle, use 'brake'. If you mean shattering something or taking a rest, use 'break'.
Did you know?
'Break' is one of the most versatile words in English, with over 50 registered meanings. It covers: break a record, break the news, break a promise, take a break, a lucky break, and break of day.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
I've been working for three hours. I really need a _____.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The driver pressed the _____ pedal but the car did not slow down.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
If you are talking about stopping a vehicle, use 'brake'. If you mean shattering something or taking a rest, use 'break'.
Writing 'brake' when talking about rest or shattering. Common mistake: "I need a brake" (meaning a rest) instead of "I need a break".
'Brake' has an A for 'auto' to stop a vehicle. 'Break' ends in EAK like 'weak', and weak things break.
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy