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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

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It's teeming down
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's teeming down in Austin - still no news.

News & Media

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I suspect it's unlikely, because it is teeming down in Colombo.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

It should be noted that the rain at The Hawthorns is teeming down - Kevin Costner in Waterworld type heavy.

News & Media

BBC

The rain was teeming down in Bern and Hungary were about to win the World Cup.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

9.49pm BST Tracy McVeigh reports from the scene: Rain is teeming down on Trafalgar Square protest.

News & Media

The Guardian

Looking at the pictures on Eurosport, if I didn't know any better then I would say they have temporarily moved the Tour from France to the west of Ireland, such is the the way the rain is teeming down by the bucket load.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

It's teeming it down.

News & Media

BBC

Ana's specifically recommends Filial (rua Fidalga 254), and it's teeming.

News & Media

The Guardian - Travel

It's teeming here with (hungry) theoreticians.

Academia

Princeton University

It's teeming with them".

News & Media

Huffington Post

Follow Angus on TwInside

News & Media

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair it with a location to ground the observation, as seen in Ludwig examples where reporters mention specific cities or stadiums.

Common error

Avoid the common spelling mistake of using 'teaming' (as in working together). The correct spelling for heavy rain or being crowded is always 'teeming'. Additionally, ensure you use the particle 'down' to refer to rain; without it, the verb usually requires 'with' to describe a crowd.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

96%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It's teeming down" functions as an impersonal verbal construction where the dummy subject 'it' refers to the prevailing weather conditions. As noted in Ludwig, the phrasal verb uses the particle 'down' to specify the direction and intensity of the movement, distinct from the prepositional use found in 'teeming with'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Social Media

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "It's teeming down" is a highly effective, idiomatic way to describe heavy rainfall. While Ludwig search results show that the base verb 'teem' is often used to describe crowds or abundance (teeming with), the specific phrasal combination with 'down' is a staple of British and Commonwealth English for weather reporting. It is grammatically sound and carries a descriptive weight that literal alternatives lack. Writers should be careful not to confuse it with the similar-sounding 'teaming' and should reserve it for contexts where a vivid, almost visual description of the rain is required.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is pouring with rain

More standard and universally understood variant without the specific phrasal verb structure.

The rain is bucketing down

Uses a different container-based metaphor but retains the informal, descriptive tone.

It is teeming with rain

A more formal prepositional variation of the base verb.

It is pelting down

Suggests a sense of force or impact from the raindrops.

It is raining cats and dogs

A classic idiom that is much more figurative and slightly dated compared to the query.

It's lashing down

Implying wind-driven or particularly violent heavy rain.

It is chucking it down

A very informal British colloquialism with a similar intensity.

The heavens have opened

Emphasizes the sudden onset of heavy rain rather than just the volume.

It is raining heavily

The literal, formal equivalent suitable for technical or neutral reporting.

It is coming down in sheets

Describes the visual appearance of the rainfall in dense layers.

FAQs

How to use "It's teeming down" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe heavy rain, for example: "I wouldn't go out right now; "it's teeming down" outside."

What's the difference between "It's teeming down" and "It's teeming with"?

While both use the same verb, "It's teeming down" exclusively refers to heavy rain. In contrast, "it's teeming with" means something is crowded or full of life, such as "the lake is teeming with fish."

Is "It's teeming down" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to informal. It is very common in British journalism (like the BBC) but might be replaced by "it is raining heavily" in strictly academic or scientific contexts.

What can I say instead of "It's teeming down"?

Depending on the desired tone, you could use "it is pouring with rain" for a standard description or "it is bucketing down" for a more colloquial feel.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

96%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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It's teeming downGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

It's teeming down
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples