What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sputter
Example
The old car sputtered and coughed as it struggled up the hill. [sputtered: past tense]
Example
She sputtered with indignation when she heard the news. [sputtered: verb]
Example
The frying pan sputtered as the bacon cooked. [sputtered: past tense]
spit
Example
He spit out the bad-tasting medicine. [spit: past tense]
Example
The firewood crackled and spat as it burned. [spat: past tense]
Example
We decided to spit-roast the whole pig for the luau. [spit-roast: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spit is more commonly used than sputter in everyday language, particularly in the context of saliva or cooking. Sputter is less common and is typically used to describe machines or vehicles.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sputter and spit?
Both sputter and spit are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
