spout nonsense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spout nonsense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is speaking in an uninformed or nonsensical manner. For example, "The politician attempted to address the issue, but instead of speaking sensibly, he just spouted nonsense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"Even the most intelligentthinker," he says here, "will, if he talkstoo long about cultures and civilizations,begin to spout nonsense".

The New York Times - Books

Brexit campaigners are paraded constantly across the airwaves to spout nonsense and lies about the single market, the customs union and – most unforgivably – the Irish border.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her shopping list includes trips to Kayseri, "the Turkish pastrami capital", and to a series of bizarre international literary conferences at which academics bicker and spout nonsense.

The Guardian - Books

He has had his lawyers hire sex workers to testify for the defense, making the point that everyone else in the courtroom was being paid to spout nonsense.

The New Yorker

If professors with impressive-sounding credentials spout nonsense, it's asking too much of a newspaper or magazine serving the broader public to make the judgment that they actually have no idea what they're talking about.

The New York Times

Reagan was concerned about a fence, while the recent crop of would-be-Reagans spout nonsense about walls with moats topped by electrified fences.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He or she will be spouting nonsense.

The Guardian - Business

To promote its "Iconic new bras" (which, yes, sounds like a contradiction in terms), Turlington appears in the standard CK advert and spouts nonsense.

Independent

Would-be saviors and so-called experts seem lost and spouting nonsense, while seen-it-all Haitians note the absurdities playing out before them.

The New York Times

One advantage of being the putative leader of a great nation is that people pay attention, even when you're spouting nonsense.

The New Yorker

True to form, at the end two pairs of lovers are united -- but only after one of them has been reduced to spouting nonsense syllables.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spout nonsense" when you want to emphasize that someone is not just wrong, but also speaking foolishly or irrationally. It implies a degree of absurdity in their statements.

Common error

While "spout nonsense" is widely understood, it can sound informal or even derisive. In professional or academic writing, consider alternatives like "make unfounded claims" or "present unsubstantiated arguments" for a more neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spout nonsense" functions as a verb phrase describing the act of uttering foolish or nonsensical statements. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s a grammatically correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spout nonsense" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe someone speaking foolishly or irrationally. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While suitable for news and general conversation, it might be perceived as too informal for academic or formal business contexts, where alternatives like "make unfounded claims" are more appropriate. The phrase often conveys criticism, dismissing the speaker's words as untrue or illogical. Consider the audience and context when choosing to use this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talk rubbish

Replaces "nonsense" with "rubbish", maintaining the informal tone but using a different noun.

talk foolishly

Focuses on the manner of speaking rather than the content, using the adverb "foolishly".

speak absurdly

Emphasizes the irrational nature of the statements, replacing "nonsense" with "absurdly".

utter drivel

Replaces "spout nonsense" with a more emphatic and slightly more formal expression.

babble incoherently

Highlights the lack of clarity and logical flow in the speech.

rave madly

Implies a state of excitement or agitation while speaking foolishly.

pontificate wildly

Suggests speaking at length and with authority, but without basis in fact.

blather on

Implies talking at length about unimportant things.

chatter idly

Describes light and meaningless conversation.

prattle aimlessly

Refers to talking in a foolish or inconsequential way.

FAQs

What does it mean to "spout nonsense"?

To "spout nonsense" means to say things that are silly, untrue, or make no sense. It suggests the speaker is not being rational or well-informed.

What can I say instead of "spout nonsense"?

You can use alternatives like "talk rubbish", "speak absurdly", or "utter drivel" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "spout nonsense" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "spout nonsense" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using phrases like "make unsubstantiated claims" or "present illogical arguments".

How can I use "spout nonsense" in a sentence?

You can use "spout nonsense" to describe someone making foolish statements, such as, "The politician started to "spout nonsense" when questioned about the budget."