What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
splutter
Example
He spluttered and coughed as he tried to drink the hot tea. [spluttered: past tense]
Example
She spluttered with laughter at the comedian's jokes. [spluttered: verb]
Example
The old car spluttered and stalled on the hill. [spluttered: past tense]
gasp
Example
She gasped when she saw the surprise party waiting for her. [gasped: past tense]
Example
He was gasping for air after running the marathon. [gasping: present participle]
Example
The child gasped in fear when the dog barked at him. [gasped: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gasp is more commonly used than splutter in everyday language. Gasp is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while splutter is less common and refers to specific situations involving liquid or speech.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between splutter and gasp?
While splutter is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, gasp can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
