Is It Spit or Spat: Understanding the Past Tense of “Spit”
Quick Answer
The past tense of spit is spat. In American English, spit is also used as the past tense. Both are correct, but spat is the safest choice.
Now: I spit out the seeds.
Yesterday: I spat out the seeds.
Many times: I have spat out seeds before.
Spit, Spat, Spat — See the Pattern
Read these sentences. Watch what happens to the verb:
- The baby spits up milk every day. (now — it happens often)
- He spat out the food because it was too hot. (past — it is finished)
- She has spat out her medicine twice this week. (past with “has”)
- The cat spat at the dog and ran away. (past — it is finished)
Did you see the pattern? The present is spit, and the past is spat. It does not change again with “have” or “has” — it stays spat.
| When? | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Now / every day | spit / spits | He spits out the seeds. |
| In the past | spat | He spat out the seeds. |
| With have / has / had | spat | He has spat out the seeds. |
When to Use Spat (and When Spit Is Also OK)
Spit is an irregular verb. You do not add -ed to make the past tense. You change the vowel: spit becomes spat.
- In British English: always use spat for the past tense.
- In American English: both spat and spit are OK for the past tense.
- With have/has/had: use spat in both British and American English.
Easy way to remember: Think of sit → sat. The vowel changes the same way: spit → spat, just like sit → sat.
The Rule in One Line: Spit → spat → spat — change the vowel, never add -ed.
How to Use Spat in Everyday English
Here are sentences you might use or hear every day:
- The child spat out the vegetable and said “yuck!” (refused to eat it)
- He tasted the coffee and spat it back into the cup. (it was too bitter)
- She has spat out her toothpaste and rinsed her mouth. (with “has” — still spat)
- The llama spat at the tourist! (yes, llamas really do this)
- He spat the watermelon seeds into the grass. (pushed them out with force)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
Two Mistakes to Avoid With Spit
Even advanced learners sometimes say “spitted” because most English verbs add -ed. Your brain wants to follow the normal pattern — so if you have made this mistake, you are not alone.
Mistake 1: Adding -ed to make “spitted”
✗ He spitted out the cherry stone.
✓ He spat out the cherry stone.
Mistake 2: Using “spitted” with have/has/had
✗ The baby has spitted up again.
✓ The baby has spat up again.
How to remember: Think of sit → sat. If you would never say “sitted,” then do not say “spitted” either. The pattern is the same: change the i to an a.
Other verbs that change i → a in the past: sit → sat, swim → swam, ring → rang, sing → sang.
Test Yourself: Spit, Spat, or Spitted?
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. He _______ out the grape seeds at the picnic yesterday.
2. The baby has _______ up milk three times today.
3. She tasted the lemon and _______ it out right away.
4. The cat _______ at the stranger and ran under the bed.
5. He had never _______ out food in a restaurant before that night.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned that spit becomes spat in the past tense. That is one more irregular verb you will never get wrong again.
You know that spit → spat works like sit → sat. But what about the verb spill? Some people say “spilled” and others say “spilt.” Are both correct? And is there a rule for when to use each one?
Next lesson: What Is the Past Tense of Spill — Spilled or Spilt?
Sources
Definition of spit from the Collins English Dictionary.
Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of spit.” Online Etymology Dictionary
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
