Spew vs Spue: Common Misconceptions and Accurate Usage

Are you confused about whether to use spew or spue? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Both words are correct, but there are subtle differences between them. In this article, we’ll explore the meanings of spew and spue and when to use each one.

Spew and spue are both verbs that mean to expel something forcefully and in large quantities. However, spew is more commonly used, and it has a broader range of meanings. It can refer to vomiting, belching, or even emitting smoke or steam. Spew is also used figuratively to describe a sudden outburst of words or emotions.

On the other hand, spue is a less common variant of spew, and it is typically used in technical or scientific contexts. Spue is often used to describe the eruption of volcanic material or the discharge of molten metal from a furnace. In these contexts, spue is the preferred spelling.

Now that we’ve established the difference between spew and spue, let’s dive deeper into each word and explore their origins and usage.

Define Spew

Spew is a verb that means to expel or discharge something forcibly and in large quantities. It is often used to describe the action of vomiting or regurgitating food or liquid from the mouth or stomach. However, spew can also refer to the act of emitting gas, smoke, or other substances in a violent or uncontrolled manner.

Define Spue

Spue is a variant spelling of spew and has the same meaning. It is less commonly used than spew and is often considered archaic or dialectal. The spelling spue is more common in British English than in American English.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

As with any language, proper usage of words is crucial to effective communication. In the case of “spew” and “spue,” both words have similar meanings but differ in spelling. Knowing when to use each word can help you express yourself more clearly and accurately.

How To Use “Spew” In A Sentence

“Spew” is a verb that means to expel something forcefully and in large quantities. It is often used to describe the act of vomiting or the release of a substance from a volcano. Here are some examples of how to use “spew” in a sentence:

• The volcano began to spew lava and ash into the sky.
• After eating the spoiled food, he began to spew all over the bathroom.
• The factory spewed toxic waste into the river, causing environmental damage.

As you can see, “spew” is typically used to describe the forceful expulsion of a substance. It is a strong and vivid word that can add emphasis and detail to your writing.

How To Use “Spue” In A Sentence

“Spue” is a less common variant of “spew.” It is also a verb that means to expel something, but it is typically used in a more figurative sense. Here are some examples of how to use “spue” in a sentence:

• The politician’s speech was filled with lies and spued propaganda.
• Her anger spued out of her in a torrent of curses and insults.
• The writer’s pen spued out words faster than she could think them.

As you can see, “spue” is often used to describe the release of something intangible, such as emotions or ideas. It is a more literary and expressive word than “spew,” and can be used to add depth and nuance to your writing.

More Examples Of Spew & Spue Used In Sentences

Here are some additional examples of how to use the words “spew” and “spue” in sentences:

Examples Of Using “Spew” In A Sentence

• The volcano began to spew lava and ash into the air.
• The politician continued to spew lies during the debate.
• The garbage truck would spew a cloud of noxious fumes as it drove by.
• The broken pipe caused the faucet to spew water all over the kitchen.
• The car’s exhaust would spew black smoke whenever the engine was revved.
• The angry customer would spew profanity at the poor cashier.
• The whale would spew water out of its blowhole as it breached the surface.
• The malfunctioning machine would spew sparks and smoke before finally shutting down.
• The overflowing toilet would spew sewage all over the bathroom floor.
• The shaken soda can would spew its carbonated contents all over the unsuspecting victim.

Examples Of Using “Spue” In A Sentence

• The old well would spue forth water whenever it rained heavily.
• The sick child would spue up his medicine every time he took it.
• The malfunctioning furnace would spue out smoke and carbon monoxide.
• The garbage can would spue out a swarm of angry bees when disturbed.
• The old printer would spue out pages of gibberish whenever it was turned on.
• The ancient dragon would spue fire from its gaping maw.
• The broken dam would spue forth a torrent of water that flooded the nearby town.
• The sickly plant would spue out a foul-smelling liquid from its leaves.
• The possessed girl would spue out demonic curses and blasphemies.
• The old well would spue forth a stream of oil instead of water.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using words like spew and spue, many people tend to use them interchangeably, without realizing that they have different meanings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using Spew And Spue Interchangeably

One of the most common mistakes people make is using spew and spue interchangeably. While both words refer to the act of expelling something forcefully, they are not always interchangeable.

Spew is the more commonly used term and is often used to describe the act of vomiting or throwing up. For example, “The smell of the garbage made me spew my lunch.” On the other hand, spue is a less common term and is often used to describe the act of expelling something forcefully from a natural source, such as a volcano or a geyser. For example, “The volcano spued ash and lava into the air.”

Incorrect Usage

Another common mistake is using spew or spue incorrectly. For example, using spew to describe the act of expelling something from a natural source is incorrect. Similarly, using spue to describe the act of vomiting is also incorrect.

It is important to use these words correctly to avoid confusion and to ensure that your writing is accurate.

Tips To Avoid Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid making these mistakes in the future:

• Use spew to describe the act of vomiting or throwing up.
• Use spue to describe the act of expelling something forcefully from a natural source.
• Double-check your usage to ensure that you are using the correct word.
• When in doubt, consult a dictionary or a style guide.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “spew” and “spue,” context plays a crucial role. Depending on the situation, one word may be more appropriate than the other. Let’s explore some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “spew” and “spue” might change.

Formality

One factor that can influence the choice between “spew” and “spue” is formality. “Spue” is an archaic spelling of the word, and is rarely used in modern English. As a result, it may be seen as less formal or even outdated. In more formal contexts, such as academic or professional writing, “spew” may be the better choice to avoid any confusion or distractions from the archaic spelling.

Regional Differences

Another factor to consider is regional differences. While both “spew” and “spue” are accepted spellings in English, they may be more commonly used in different regions. For example, “spue” may be more commonly used in British English, while “spew” is more commonly used in American English. If you are writing for a specific audience, it may be worth considering which spelling is more commonly used in that region.

Verb Tense

The choice between “spew” and “spue” can also depend on the verb tense being used. “Spew” is the present tense form of the verb, while “spue” is the past tense form. If you are talking about something happening in the present, such as “The volcano is spewing lava,” then “spew” would be the appropriate choice. If you are talking about something that has already happened, such as “The volcano spewed lava yesterday,” then “spewed” would be the correct form.

Contextual Meaning

Finally, the choice between “spew” and “spue” can depend on the specific meaning you are trying to convey. While the two words are generally interchangeable, there may be subtle differences in meaning that make one more appropriate than the other in a given context. For example, “spew” may have a more negative connotation, implying a forceful or unpleasant expulsion, while “spue” may be more neutral or even poetic in certain contexts.

Context	Preferred Word
Academic Writing	Spew
British English	Spue
Present Tense	Spew
Past Tense	Spewed
Neutral Connotation	Spue

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using spew and spue are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they may not apply. In such cases, it is important to understand the context in which these words are being used.

Exception 1: Technical Terminology

In some technical contexts, spue may be used instead of spew. This is particularly true in the manufacturing industry, where spue refers to the excess material that is produced during the casting or molding process. For instance:

• The foundry workers had to remove the spue from the mold before the final product could be inspected.
• After the casting was complete, the spue was recycled to minimize waste.

While spew could be used in these examples, spue is the more appropriate term because it specifically refers to the excess material produced during the casting process.

Exception 2: Regional Differences

There may also be regional differences in the use of spew and spue. In British English, for instance, spue is the more commonly used term. In American English, spew is generally preferred. However, this is not a hard and fast rule, and there may be instances where spue is used in American English or spew is used in British English. For example:

• The volcano spewed lava and ash for several hours before finally subsiding. (American English)
• After drinking too much, he spewed all over the sidewalk. (British English)

It is important to keep in mind the context and audience when deciding which term to use.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have explored the differences between spew and spue, it’s time to put our knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two words in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (spew or spue) to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. The volcano began to _____ lava from its crater.
2. The baby _____ its food all over the high chair.
3. The politician continued to _____ lies during the debate.
4. After drinking too much, he had to _____ in the bathroom.
5. The oil rig accident caused the ocean to _____ with oil.

Answer key: 1. spew, 2. spewed, 3. spew, 4. spue, 5. spew

Exercise 2: Identify The Correct Word

Read the following sentences and identify whether spew or spue is the correct word to use:

Sentence	Correct Word
The soda machine _____ out a can of Coke.	spewed
The chef _____ the soup into the bowl.	spooned
The factory _____ smoke into the air.	spewed
The baby _____ all over the carpet.	spewed
The magician _____ fire from his hands.	spewed

Explanation: In the first, third, fourth, and fifth sentences, spew is the correct word to use because it means to forcefully expel something. In the second sentence, spooned is the correct word to use because it means to serve or transfer with a spoon.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “spew” and “spue,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and usage in the English language. While they may seem interchangeable at first glance, understanding the nuances of each word can lead to more precise and effective communication.

Key Takeaways

• Spew and spue are both verbs that mean to expel something forcefully.
• Spew is the more commonly used word in modern English, while spue is considered archaic.
• Spew is typically used to describe the forceful expulsion of liquid or gas, while spue is used in a more general sense.
• It is important to use the correct word in the appropriate context to ensure clear communication.

As with any aspect of language and grammar, there is always more to learn. Continuing to educate oneself on these topics can lead to improved writing and communication skills.