it was spitting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was spitting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe light rain or drizzle, often in informal contexts. Example: "As we walked through the park, it was spitting, so we decided to find shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It was spitting and snorting," he said.

The New York Times

The stands were empty and it was spitting with rain.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was spitting a little bit when we went out there.

The New York Times - Sports

It was spitting snow, but far to the south the sun slashed through ragged clouds, spotlighting low rumpled mountains and dark green carpets of spruce.

The New York Times - Travel

4.54am GMT Play has been abandoned for the day The umpires were ready to resume even though it was spitting, with the groundsman shaking his head in a funk at what the weather was doing to his baby; then the rain got heavier and the umpires decided to put us out of our not inconsiderable misery.

The Guardian - Sport

It was spitting rain on arrival but walking in, even the shit weather couldn't ruin the magic.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It was spit.

The New York Times

It was spit out midtantrum with a stomp of her foot by a 5-year-old Lily Rabe during a petulant exchange with her mother, Jill Clayburgh.

The New York Times

Human activity is not only draining the river and its aquifers of water, it is spitting gobs of poison into the flow that remains.

The Guardian

No, Frank it's "spitting image"!

The Guardian - Opinion

The boys are now fighting an absolutely gigantic monster It's spitting eggs at them.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was spitting" to describe a very light rain, especially when you want to convey a sense of the rain's minimal intensity or intermittence. This phrase is often used in informal contexts to casually describe the weather.

Common error

While "it was spitting" is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation, it may sound too informal or colloquial for professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "it was drizzling" or "there was light rain" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was spitting" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating the weather conditions at a specific time. It primarily describes the presence of a light, intermittent rainfall. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sports

17%

Travel

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was spitting" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a very light or intermittent rainfall. As Ludwig AI states, it's considered correct. Primarily found in news, sports, and travel contexts, it serves to inform about the weather or set a scene. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the context, as it may be too informal for formal writing. Consider alternatives like "it was drizzling" or "it was raining lightly" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was drizzling

Describes a very light rain, similar to spitting but perhaps implying a finer precipitation.

it was sprinkling

Similar to spitting, implying a very sparse and light rain.

it was raining lightly

A more straightforward way to describe the light rain.

a light rain was falling

Emphasizes the action of the rain falling, rather than its intensity.

a fine rain was falling

Highlights the delicate nature of the rainfall.

there was a light shower

Implies a brief period of light rain.

it was just starting to rain

Emphasizes the beginning of the rainfall, often light at first.

it was misting

Suggests a very fine spray of water in the air.

the rain was pattering softly

Focuses on the sound and gentleness of the rain.

there was a spot of rain

Indicates a very small amount of rain.

FAQs

What does "it was spitting" mean?

"It was spitting" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a very light rain or drizzle. It suggests that the rain is falling in small, infrequent drops.

What's the difference between "it was spitting" and "it was drizzling"?

Both describe light rain, but "it was spitting" suggests an even lighter and more intermittent rainfall than "it was drizzling". Drizzling implies a finer, more consistent mist, while spitting suggests larger, scattered drops.

What can I say instead of "it was spitting"?

You can use alternatives like "it was drizzling", "it was raining lightly", or "it was misting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was spitting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was spitting" is grammatically correct and a commonly used expression in English to describe light rain. However, be mindful of the context, as it may be considered informal for certain types of writing.