slopping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slopping" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used to describe the act of spilling or moving something in a careless or messy manner, often related to liquids or food. Example: "The dog was slopping water all over the kitchen floor as it drank from its bowl."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The gear was appropriate for slopping through slæp, fenn, myrr and slohtre (the disappointing origin of Upper and Lower Slaughter), or stomping through leah, hurst, holt and græfe, where trees were felled and coppiced and axes rang in the woods.

The Economist

Black carbon slopping over India's bathtub rim represents a threat to Asia's high glaciers.

The Economist

Already there are reports of workers slopping about in radioactive water wearing leaky boots.

The Economist

As one Scottish and very-New-Labour MP at Westminster admitted ruefully: "It's basically old-style municipal socialism with an overlay of political correctness".Fortunately, there is plenty of money slopping around to pay for all this.

The Economist

But slopping baked potato topping on a burger is definitely new and daring.

The Economist

The collar constrains an overwhelming abundance of slopping and spilling flesh.

Independent

In San Francisco, in 1973, he took so many (perhaps to come down from a high, or to deal with pre-concert nerves) that, after slopping his way through several songs, he collapsed and had to be taken to hospital.

The New Yorker

His rooms were smaller, dingier, more chaotic than I'd expected, and I was surprised to see him making a mess of the tea, only half rinsing the chunky brown-stained mugs and slopping hot water from a filthy electric kettle over papers and books.

The New Yorker

Generations matter, too, and this is where Jackson's age counts: in uniform, he looks beefy and buff, but out in his yard, slopping about in shorts and sandals, he seems to sag.

The New Yorker

One fortyish pregnant woman after another hung up my coat, sat me in her living room, then waddled out to the kitchen, got my tea, and waddled back in, clutching her back, slopping tea onto the saucer, and asking me questions.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The pruned toes, the muddy trail shoes, the slop-slopping socks, the research notebook papers ripped out and tossed to the wind are all part of doing research here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slopping", consider the specific nuance you want to convey, as it implies a degree of messiness or carelessness. Choose it when that aspect is relevant to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "slopping" in formal writing where a more precise verb like "spilling" or "overflowing" would be more appropriate. "Slopping" can sometimes sound informal or even crude.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "slopping" is as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of "slop". It describes an ongoing action, often implying movement or messiness, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slopping" functions as a verb describing a messy or careless action, especially with liquids. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media. While versatile, avoid overusing "slopping" in formal contexts where more precise alternatives may be better suited. Consider the nuances of messiness and carelessness implied by "slopping" when choosing it for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spilling

Focuses more on the accidental aspect of liquid escaping a container.

splashing

Emphasizes the forceful impact of a liquid causing it to scatter.

sloshing

Suggests a back-and-forth movement of liquid within a container.

splattering

Implies the scattering of a substance in many small droplets.

swilling

Describes a large quantity of liquid being poured or drunk carelessly.

squishing

Indicates the movement or compression of a soft, wet substance.

spilling over

Highlights the act of exceeding the capacity of a container.

overflowing

Stresses the state of exceeding capacity to the point of spillage.

making a mess

General phrase indicating untidiness or disorder.

carelessly pouring

Emphasizes the lack of attention or precision in dispensing liquid.

FAQs

How can I use "slopping" in a sentence?

You can use "slopping" to describe something liquid or semi-liquid being spilled or moved around messily, such as "The dog was "slopping water" everywhere" or "He was "slopping paint" all over the canvas".

What is the difference between "slopping" and "spilling"?

"Slopping" often implies a more forceful or messy action, while "spilling" can be more accidental. "Slopping" suggests a lack of care, while "spilling" does not necessarily carry that connotation.

Which is correct: "slopping" or "sloshing"?

Both "slopping" and "sloshing" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Slopping" means spilling messily, while "sloshing" describes liquid moving around inside a container. The correct word depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "slopping"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "spilling", "splashing", or "sloshing". Consider what aspect of the action you want to emphasize.