Grammar fix
it's spitting
a few drops are starting to fall
(mainly British, informal) It is raining very lightly, with just a few drops falling, often when rain is starting.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
It's spitting, so I'll grab my coat before we go.
It often starts spitting just as I leave work, which is annoying because I have a ten-minute walk to the station.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
This short chunk is the natural everyday way to describe the first few drops.
Say it together
Whole chunks natives use with it.
it's starting to spit
It's starting to spit, so we'd better head back.
It was just starting to spit when we got to the car.
Don't confuse it
How heavy?
Weather · Rain: the words around “it's spitting”.
it's spitting Just a few drops, often when the rain is only starting. Informal, mainly British.
Learners often say
Not: It spits outside.
Say: It's spitting.
Use the -ing form for weather that is happening now.
More connectionsSame word, different world · More rain words · Chunks5
Same word, different world
More rain words
Say it in the rain
get caught in the rain
I got caught in the rain on my way back from lunch.
it looks like rain
It looks like rain, so let's bring the washing in.