Spit or Spat: Which Is the Correct Past Tense of Spit?

The words spit and spat are both correct forms of the verb spit, but they are used differently depending on the tense and variety of English. Spit is the present-tense form, while spat is a traditional past-tense form. However, spit is also widely used as the past tense, especially in American English.

Understanding the difference between spit and spat can help you write more naturally and avoid common grammar mistakes. The verb spit means to force saliva or another substance out of your mouth. It can also describe rejecting, expressing, or ejecting something in a figurative sense, such as spitting out an answer or spitting out food that tastes unpleasant.

In this guide, you will learn when to use spit or spat, how their meanings differ in sentences, and which form is more appropriate in American and British English. You will also find practical examples, grammar rules, memory tricks, and answers to common questions about the past tense of spit.

Quick Answer: Is It Spit or Spat?

Both spit and spat can be correct as the past tense of the verb spit. In American English, spit is very common as both the present and past tense. Spat is also correct and traditionally used in British English and other varieties. For example, “He spit out the food” and “He spat out the food” are both acceptable.

Why Do People Confuse Spit and Spat?

People often confuse spit and spat because English verbs do not all form their past tense in the same way. Regular verbs usually add -ed, as in walk/walked, but spit is an irregular verb.

Both forms are accepted in standard English, although their popularity varies by region and context.

Here are the main reasons for the confusion:

• Irregular verb forms: The past tense does not follow the usual -ed pattern.
• Regional differences: American and British speakers may prefer different forms.
• Present and past overlap: Spit can be used in both the present and past tense.
• Similar pronunciation: The short vowel sounds in spit and spat can make the difference noticeable when speaking.

The easiest way to understand the distinction is to learn each form and see how it works in a sentence.

1. Spit: Meaning, Definition, and Examples

Spit is a verb that means to force saliva, food, or another substance out of the mouth. It is also used figuratively to describe expressing something suddenly or forcefully.

The word spit can function as the present-tense form of the verb. In American English, it is also commonly used as a simple past-tense form.

Examples of Spit in Sentences

• I spit out the seed while eating watermelon.
• Babies sometimes spit out food they do not like.
• He tends to spit when he talks excitedly.
• She spit out the bitter medicine yesterday.
• The player spit on the ground after the match.
• Please do not spit on the sidewalk.

In the last three examples, spit is used to describe a past event in a variety of English where this form is accepted.

Verb Forms of Spit

Verb form	Word	Example
Base form	Spit	Do not spit on the ground.
Present simple, third person	Spits	He spits out the seeds.
Simple past	Spit or spat	She spit out the food.
Simple past	Spat	He spat into the sink.
Present participle	Spitting	The child is spitting out water.
Past participle	Spit	He has spit out the food.
Past participle	Spat	He has spat out the food.

Both spit and spat can appear in perfect tenses, depending on the variety of English and the speaker’s preferred usage.

2. Spat: Meaning, Definition, and Examples

Spat is an accepted past-tense form of spit. It describes an action that happened in the past, such as forcing saliva or food out of the mouth.

It is traditionally more common in British English, although it is also used in American English. It can sound natural in both varieties.

Examples of Spat in Sentences

• He spat out the food because it tasted awful.
• The boy spat into the trash can.
• She spat out the water after rinsing her mouth.
• The athlete spat on the track.
• The cat spat out the medicine.
• He spat the words out in anger.

In each sentence, spat describes an action that has already happened.

Is Spat Always Better Than Spit?

No. Spat is not automatically more correct than spit. Both forms are accepted, and the best choice depends on your audience, regional conventions, and writing style.

For example:

• American English: “He spit out his drink.”
• British English: “He spat out his drink.”

Both sentences are grammatically acceptable. If you are writing for a particular publication or following a style guide, use the form that matches its conventions.

Spit vs. Spat: Comparison Table

The following table summarizes the key differences between spit and spat.

Feature	Spit	Spat
Part of speech	Verb	Verb
Present tense	Yes	No
Simple past tense	Yes, especially in American English	Yes
Past participle	Yes	Yes
American English	Very common	Also accepted
British English	Used, especially in some constructions	Traditionally common
Example	He spit out the drink.	He spat out the drink.

The main point is that spit is the base form and can also serve as the past tense, while spat is a distinct irregular past-tense form.

When to Use Spit or Spat

Choosing between spit and spat becomes easier when you consider the tense of the sentence and your intended audience.

When to Use Spit

Use spit when talking about a present action, a general habit, or a past event in a variety of English that accepts this past-tense form.

Examples:

• I never spit on public streets.
• He spits out the seeds before swallowing the fruit.
• She spit out the tea when she realized it was too hot.
• The child has spit out his food several times.

Remember that the present-tense form changes to spits with he, she, or it in the simple present.

When to Use Spat

Use spat when describing a completed past action, particularly if you prefer traditional British usage or want to distinguish the past form from the present.

Examples:

• He spat out the food immediately.
• She spat into a tissue.
• The player spat on the field.
• The baby spat out the medicine.

Writing tip: If you are unsure which form to choose, spat is a clear past-tense option, while spit is also acceptable in many contexts. Consistency matters more than treating one form as universally correct.

10+ Examples of Spit and Spat in Sentences

Examples make it easier to recognize how the two words work in everyday English.

Examples Using Spit

1. I spit out the orange seed.
2. He spit the water into the sink.
3. The child spit out the medicine yesterday.
4. Some people spit while speaking quickly.
5. Please do not spit in public places.
6. She has spit out the food before.
7. The dog may spit out a pill hidden in its food.

Examples Using Spat

8. He spat out the bitter chocolate.
9. She spat into a tissue.
10. The runner spat onto the track.
11. The child spat out a mouthful of water.
12. The man spat angrily at the ground.
13. He spat out the words without thinking.
14. She spat out the seeds and continued eating.

Notice that examples 2, 3, and 6 use spit in past or perfect constructions. These forms are used by many speakers, especially in American English. Examples with spat are also correct.

Common Mistakes With Spit and Spat

Although both words are correct, learners sometimes make mistakes when using them.

Mistake 1: Using Spitted as the Past Tense

Incorrect: He spitted out the food.

Correct: He spit out the food.

Also correct: He spat out the food.

The verb spit is irregular, so spitted is not the standard past-tense form in ordinary modern English.

Mistake 2: Thinking Spat Is the Only Correct Past Tense

Incorrect assumption: “Spit” can never be used in the past tense.

Correct understanding: Both spit and spat are accepted past-tense forms, with regional preferences.

Mistake 3: Using Spit Instead of Spits in the Simple Present

Incorrect: He spit on the ground every morning.

Correct: He spits on the ground every morning.

When describing a regular habit in the simple present, use spits with he, she, or it. The form spit may be correct in a past-tense sentence, depending on usage.

Mistake 4: Confusing Spit With Spat as a Noun

The word spat can also be a noun referring to a brief, petty argument.

Example: “The two friends had a spat over a misunderstanding.”

In this sentence, spat does not refer to saliva. It means a short disagreement.

Memory Trick: How to Remember Spit vs. Spat

Use this simple memory trick:

• Spit = present or an accepted past form.
• Spat = a traditional past form.

Think of this sentence pair:

• Today, I spit out the seed.
• Yesterday, I spat out the seed.

The change from spit to spat helps signal that the action happened in the past.

If you are reading or writing American English, remember that “Yesterday, I spit out the seed” is also acceptable.

Another useful tip is to memorize the common irregular verb pattern:

Spit → Spit or Spat → Spit or Spat

Learning both past forms will help you understand books, articles, conversations, and different English dialects.

American vs. British English: Spit or Spat?

Both American and British English accept spit and spat, but the traditional preference differs.

In American English, spit is widely used as the simple past tense. For example, “He spit out the gum” sounds natural to many American speakers. Spat is also understood and used.

In British English, spat has traditionally been a common choice for the simple past tense. For example, “He spat out the gum” is a familiar British English construction. However, spit is also used.

Variety	Common past-tense choice	Example
American English	Spit	He spit out the gum.
British English	Spat	He spat out the gum.
Both varieties	Both forms occur	She spit/spat out the food.

These are general tendencies, not strict rules. Neither variety requires every speaker to use only one form.

Similar Words to Spit and Spat

Learning related irregular verbs can help you understand how English forms the past tense.

Base form	Past tense	Example
Sit	Sat	She sat on the chair.
Hit	Hit	He hit the ball.
Split	Split	They split the cake.
Knit	Knit or knitted	She knitted a scarf.
Quit	Quit	He quit his job.
Spit	Spit or spat	She spat out the seed.

These verbs follow different patterns, so it is useful to learn their forms individually rather than assuming every verb follows the same rule.

Also, do not confuse spat with spat as a noun meaning a brief argument. Context helps determine which meaning is intended.

Final Verdict: Which Is Correct, Spit or Spat?

Both spit and spat are correct past-tense forms of the verb spit. The difference is mainly a matter of usage and regional preference.

Choose spit when using the present tense or when following a variety of English that commonly uses spit as the past tense. Choose spat when describing a past action, especially if you prefer traditional British usage.

For example:

• “He spit out the food” is correct.
• “He spat out the food” is also correct.
• “He spits out the food every morning” is correct for a present habit.

The important thing is to match the verb form to the sentence’s tense and meaning. Avoid spitted in ordinary modern English, and remember that you do not need to treat either spit or spat as the only acceptable past-tense form.

FAQs:

1. Is spit or spat the correct past tense?

Both are correct. Spit is especially common as the past tense in American English, while spat is a traditional past-tense form commonly associated with British English.

2. Is spat grammatically correct?

Yes. Spat is a standard past-tense form of spit. For example, “She spat out the seed” is grammatically correct.

3. Can I say “I spit yesterday”?

Yes. This sentence is acceptable in varieties of English that use spit as the simple past tense, particularly American English. You can also say, “I spat yesterday.”

4. Is spitted a word?

Spitted exists in specialized or uncommon contexts, but it is not the standard past tense of spit when referring to ejecting saliva or food. Use spit or spat instead.

5. What is the past participle of spit?

Both spit and spat can be used as past participles. For example, “He has spit out the food” and “He has spat out the food” are both accepted, with usage varying by region.

6. Is spat more British than American?

Generally, yes. Spat has traditionally been more common in British English, while spit is widely used as the past tense in American English. However, both forms occur in both varieties.

7. What is the difference between spat and spit as a noun?

Spit can refer to saliva or a pointed metal rod used for roasting food. Spat can mean a brief argument, as in “They had a spat.” Context determines the intended meaning.

Remember This

• Spit: The base form and a commonly accepted American English past-tense form.
• Spat: A standard past-tense form traditionally common in British English.
• Spits: The simple present form used with he, she, or it.
• Spitting: The present participle.
• Spitted: Not the standard past tense for ejecting saliva or food.

Both spit and spat can be correct. Choose the form that suits your sentence and the variety of English you are using.

Conclusion

The difference between spit and spat is simpler than it first appears. Both are accepted past-tense forms of the irregular verb spit, which means to force saliva, food, or another substance out of the mouth. The main distinction is regional preference: spit is especially common as a past-tense form in American English, while spat has traditionally been preferred in British English.

To use these words confidently, remember the basic forms and pay attention to the context. Say “He spits every morning” when describing a present habit, and use “He spit” or “He spat” when describing a past action, depending on your preferred variety of English. With a little practice, you can use both forms naturally and avoid common mistakes such as spitted.