What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spluttered
Example
The car spluttered and stalled on the side of the road. [spluttered: verb]
Example
He spluttered out his words in anger, unable to control his emotions. [spluttered: past tense]
stammered
Example
She stammered through her presentation, struggling to get her words out. [stammered: past tense]
Example
He has a stammer that makes it difficult for him to communicate effectively. [stammer: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stammered is more commonly used than spluttered in everyday language. Stammered is a more well-known speech disorder and is often portrayed in media, while spluttered is less common and more specific to certain contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spluttered and stammered?
Both spluttered and stammered are informal words and are not typically used in formal settings. However, stammered may be more commonly used in professional or academic contexts when discussing speech disorders or impediments.