Gerund Word Explorer
HomophoneAges 15–20

Baited or bated

Baited

Having bait on it; also, teased or provoked.

The trap was baited with cheese.

Bated

Held back; used today mainly in 'bated breath'.

We waited with bated breath.

Remember: Bated comes from 'abate', meaning to lessen. With bated breath, you hold your breath back. You don't put bait on it.

Quick check

We waited with ____ breath.

Short lessonHomophonesWords that sound the same but are spelt differently and mean different things.

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