spitting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'spitting' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is the present participle form of the verb 'spit' and is used to describe the action of forcefully ejecting saliva or other substances from the mouth. Example: She was so angry that she started spitting insults at him. In this sentence, 'spitting' is used to describe the act of angrily speaking out insults, as if they were being forcefully ejected from her mouth.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It wasn't cool to be African in those days and in my ignorant teenage way, I was acting out a much bigger crisis of confidence, one that had been swallowing Africans and spitting them out as permanent economic migrants in Europe and America ever since the end of colonialism.

The Guardian

With spitting rain adding to the drama on a day when morning downpours had already forced a late start, the French 14th seed served for the match at 5-4 in the third set, only to punctuate his worst game of the match with a miserable double-fault on break point.

The Guardian - Sport

Countries are spitting out their people for different reasons: war, revolution, bad governance, dead-end economies, climate change, poverty, persecution.

The Guardian

Simon Danczuk, the outspoken Labour MP, has condemned record labels for "chewing up and spitting out" musicians ahead of the broadcast of an interview he did with the singer.

The Guardian

Players have also had to deal with various missiles thrown at them and, even more disagreeably, spitting.

The Guardian - Sport

But Tom Loxley, spitting into the luxuriant weeds by the tap that November morning, thought, Light, air, space, silence.

The Guardian - Books

If you are in England, you may have missed the story last week that the Tories are spitting tacks about the SNP gaining a seat on the committee which oversees the work of the intelligence and security services.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, spitting on an airplane while boarding is not easy to do without getting arrested or upsetting fellow travellers.

The Guardian

But after Wilshaw said publicly that he was "spitting blood", Gove – in an increasingly rare conciliatory mode – backed off.

The Guardian

And now I have to taint the book and my memory of disappearing with young Penelope through time and into the enchanting Elizabethan world of beaded kirtles, wild moorland and woods, peascods and passionate queens, with the knowledge that even as she was creating her masterpiece, the author was spitting bile and venom at those around her and recording it all for posterity in her diaries.

The Guardian - Books

Even Kenya's burgeoning middle class seemed unable, as voters, to move much beyond tribal identities.Since the poll, Kenyans have been spitting ethnic vitriol at each other in their social media.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spitting" when referring to the act of ejecting saliva or other substances from the mouth. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym for stylistic variation.

Common error

Avoid using "spitting" in overly figurative contexts where the imagery becomes too harsh or inappropriate. Consider more nuanced verbs like "expressing" or "venting" instead.

Linguistic Context

Spitting functions primarily as a verb in its present participle form, often describing an ongoing action. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts, both literal and figurative, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spitting" is a versatile word primarily used as a verb in its present participle form, as validated by Ludwig. Its function ranges from describing a literal act of ejecting saliva to expressing metaphorical anger or contempt. While generally considered impolite as a physical action, the word itself is widely used across various registers, from neutral news reports to informal expressions. The most frequent contexts are News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. Therefore, be mindful of the intended meaning and audience when using "spitting" to ensure appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ejecting saliva

A direct and literal description of the action.

expectorating mucus

A more technical phrase referring to the act of clearing mucus.

expectorating

More formal and clinical term for ejecting saliva.

projecting saliva

Highlights the action of forceful projection.

spewing

Emphasizes forceful ejection, often used metaphorically.

spraying saliva

Suggests a fine mist or diffused ejection.

disgorging

Implies releasing something unpleasant or unwanted.

launching phlegm

More graphic and specific to ejecting mucus.

salivating

Focuses on the production of saliva, not necessarily the ejection.

casting forth spittle

Archaic and literary way of saying "spitting".

FAQs

How is "spitting" used in a sentence?

"Spitting" can describe the physical action of ejecting saliva or be used metaphorically to describe expressing something with force. For instance, "He was "spitting blood"" means he was extremely angry.

What are some synonyms for "spitting"?

Alternatives for "spitting" include "expectorating", "spewing", and "ejecting saliva", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is "spitting" considered rude?

Yes, the act of physically "spitting" is generally considered impolite and unhygienic in most cultures. However, the word itself is not inherently rude and can be used in appropriate contexts.

Can "spitting" be used figuratively?

Yes, "spitting" can be used metaphorically to describe someone expressing anger or contempt forcefully, as in "spitting venom".