Have you ever paused while writing because you were unsure whether to use spit or spat? Both forms can be correct, but the right choice depends on the sentence.
You might say someone spat out a drink, or that they spit out an answer. The word spat can also mean a short argument between people.
Understanding these uses will help you choose the right word with confidence.
Quick Answer:
Both spit and spat can be used as the past tense and past participle of the verb spit. Spat is the standard past form, while spit is also accepted, especially in North American English.
- Spit: He spit out his drink when he heard the joke.
- Spat: She spat the seed onto the ground.
- Verbal spat: The two coworkers had a brief spat over the schedule.
The key is to understand the context. When spat is a noun, it means a short argument rather than an act of spitting.
What Does Spit Mean?
Spit is a verb that means to force saliva, food, or another substance out of your mouth. It can describe a deliberate action or an involuntary reaction to something unpleasant.
Examples:
- Please do not spit on the sidewalk.
- The child spit out the medicine.
- He spit the seeds into a napkin.
- She nearly spit out her coffee when she heard the joke.
Spit can also be a noun with several meanings. It may refer to saliva, a long metal rod used to hold meat over a fire while cooking, or a narrow strip of land that extends into a body of water.
Examples:
- There was spit on the pavement.
- The cook placed the meat on a spit over the fire.
- We walked along a sandy spit that extended into the sea.
The meaning depends on how the word is used in the sentence.
What Does Spat Mean?
Spat has two common meanings. It is the past-tense and past-participle form of spit. It is also a noun meaning a short argument, usually over something minor.
As a verb form:
- The child spat out the bitter medicine.
- He spat on the ground in anger.
- She has spat out the food she disliked.
As a noun meaning an argument:
- The siblings had a spat over who would use the computer.
- A brief spat between the neighbors ended with an apology.
- The coworkers had a verbal spat during the meeting.
The sentence tells you which meaning applies. In “She spat out the medicine,” spat describes an action. In “They had a spat,” it refers to a disagreement.
Spit vs. Spat: What Is the Difference?
| Word | Grammatical role | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spit | Base-form verb | To force something out of the mouth | Do not spit on the floor. |
| Spit | Past tense or past participle in some usage | Forced something out of the mouth | He spit out the water. |
| Spat | Past tense or past participle | Forced something out of the mouth | He spat out the water. |
| Spat | Noun | A short argument | They had a spat about money. |
The main difference is grammatical. Spit is the base form, while spat is a common past form. Both can describe the same past action.
However, spat has a separate meaning as a noun. In that use, it refers to a brief quarrel and cannot simply be replaced with spit.
What Is the Past Tense of Spit?
The past tense of spit is commonly spat. The form spit is also accepted, especially in North American English. Oxford’s learner dictionaries recognize both forms.
Examples with spat:
- He spat out the water.
- The player spat onto the grass.
- I spat out the food because it tasted bitter.
Examples with spit:
- He spit out the water.
- The player spit onto the grass.
- I spit out the food because it tasted bitter.
Both sets describe actions that happened in the past. If you are writing for a particular audience, follow its usual conventions and keep your choice consistent.
Is It “Spit Out” or “Spat Out”?
Both spit out and spat out can be correct when describing a past action.
- Present: He spits out the seeds because he dislikes them.
- Past: He spat out the seeds because they tasted bitter.
- Past, also accepted: He spit out the seeds because they tasted bitter.
- Present perfect: He has spat out the seeds.
- Present perfect, also accepted: He has spit out the seeds.
The expression spit out can also mean to say something suddenly or quickly.
For example, “She spit out the answer before anyone else could speak” means she gave the answer quickly. Here, the phrase describes speech rather than saliva.
What Is the Past Participle of Spit?
Both spat and spit can be used as the past participle. The past participle appears with helping verbs such as has, have, and had.
Examples:
- He has spat out the seeds.
- He has spit out the seeds.
- They had spat out the medicine before the nurse returned.
- They had spit out the medicine before the nurse returned.
Both forms are accepted, although usage preferences vary. The present participle is spitting.
Examples:
- She is spitting out the seeds.
- The baby was spitting up milk.
Notice the spelling change: the final t is doubled in spitting.
Spit or Spat in a Sentence
These examples show how both forms work in everyday English.
Examples with spit:
- Please do not spit on the pavement.
- The child spit out the food.
- He spit out his coffee after tasting the sour milk.
- The player spit onto the grass after the match.
- She nearly spit out her drink when she heard the joke.
Examples with spat:
- The child spat out the bitter medicine.
- He spat on the ground and walked away.
- She spat out the seed after biting the fruit.
- The dog spat out the piece of food.
- The two friends had a spat over a misunderstanding.
The first four examples in the second list describe physical actions. The last uses spat as a noun meaning an argument.
What Does “Verbal Spat” Mean?
A verbal spat is a short argument between two or more people. It usually involves angry words or a disagreement and may end without becoming a serious or lasting conflict.
Examples:
- The manager and employee had a verbal spat over the new schedule.
- A verbal spat broke out between two drivers.
- The politicians exchanged sharp words during a brief verbal spat.
Here, verbal means related to words or speech, while spat means a quarrel.
Other words for a verbal spat include argument, quarrel, disagreement, and exchange of words. The best alternative depends on the tone and seriousness of the conflict.
Synonyms for Spit and Spat
The best synonym depends on the meaning you want to express.
Synonyms for Spit
When spit means forcing saliva or another substance out of the mouth, related words include:
- Expel: To force something out.
- Eject: To push or throw something out.
- Expectorate: A formal term for bringing mucus or saliva out of the mouth.
- Spew: To throw something out forcefully, often in a large amount.
These words are not interchangeable in every sentence. For everyday writing, spit is usually the clearest choice. Expectorate is more formal and often appears in medical contexts.
Synonyms for Spat as an Argument
When spat means a brief quarrel, suitable synonyms include:
- Argument: A disagreement between people.
- Quarrel: An angry disagreement.
- Disagreement: A difference of opinion.
- Altercation: A heated or angry exchange.
- Exchange of words: A verbal disagreement.
For example, “They had a spat over the bill” can be rewritten as “They had a brief argument over the bill.”
Common Mistakes With Spit and Spat
1. Assuming Only Spat Is Correct
Incorrect assumption: Spat is the only correct past tense of spit.
Correct understanding: Both spat and spit are accepted past-tense forms. Choose the form that fits your audience and writing style.
2. Confusing the Verb With the Noun
- Verb: He spat out the water.
- Noun: They had a spat over the money.
The first sentence describes an action. The second describes a short argument.
FAQs
Do You Say “Spit” or “Spat”?
Both can be correct. Spat is a common past-tense form of spit, while spit is also used as the past tense, especially in North American English.
Are Spit and Spat the Same Thing?
They can describe the same action when used as verb forms. However, spat also has a separate noun meaning: a short argument.
Why Do People Say “Spat” Instead of “Spit”?
English accepts both forms as the past tense of spit. Some speakers prefer spat, while others use spit. The choice can vary with regional usage and personal writing preferences.
What Does “Spat” Mean as a Noun?
As a noun, spat means a short argument, often about something unimportant.
Example: “They had a spat over the television remote.”
Is It “Spit Out” or “Spat Out”?
Both are correct for a past action. For example, “He spat out the drink” and “He spit out the drink” are both accepted forms.
Conclusion
Spit and spat can both describe an action that happened in the past, and both can be used as past participles.
Spat is the usual past form in many varieties of English, while spit is also accepted, especially in North American English. The context matters, too: a spat means a short argument.
Once you understand these differences, you can choose the right form for your sentence and avoid common grammar mistakes.
