as it was raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it was raining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or situation that occurred simultaneously with the rain. Example: "We decided to stay indoors as it was raining, enjoying a cozy afternoon with a good book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Meanwhile, my mind goes back to the Kincardine and Deeside by-election in November 1991, when I was on permanent telephone canvassing duty as it was raining in horizontally from the North Sea.

Independent

"The win was obtained purely on the back of our forwards but, at pitch side, you could see how difficult conditions were as it was raining heavily and the pitch was very slippy".

BBC

"When I started the lap, it looked like, on the board… I saw on the [big TV] screen [beside the track] that I was about seventh or eighth and I thought 'Oh my God,' especially as it was raining more.

BBC

"It was raining inside the van as much as it was raining outside," LaFata said.

Vice

He took two bags, but as it was raining and he had to get on a bus, he ditched all the things he couldn't bear to touch (tons of food and tissues and empty boxes of dietary fiber supplements) and hung on to a very handy bag of herbs, spices and (Orlando's?) cologne.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Future contingents appear to hold a strange quality when compared with present or past tense statements, such as "it is raining" or "Napoleon lost at Waterloo", whose truth-value does not depend on future states or events.

SEP

It goes up to 12,000 feet, but as it's raining and thundering, they've closed it temporarily.

The Guardian

"But the romanticism of having a motorcycle wears off as soon as it's raining or it's cold or you get hit by a car.

The New York Times

When he is ready to leave Carol offers to drive him back to his office, as it is raining rather hard.

The New Yorker

Sentences such as "It is raining" were considered true or false on the basis of how well they corresponded to real-world conditions.

Harvard Business Review

We've had a couple of recommends to do the underground tour - as it's raining - and the intriguingly named Honey Hole for a sandwich lunch...any advances?

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it was raining" to provide a reason or explanation for an action or situation, ensuring the causal relationship is clear to the reader. For example, "The picnic was cancelled, as it was raining heavily."

Common error

Avoid using "as it was raining" when you simply want to describe the weather without implying a cause-and-effect relationship. Use a simple descriptive sentence like "It was raining" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it was raining" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that provides a reason or explanation for the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as it was raining" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a cause-and-effect relationship, explaining that the ongoing condition of rain influenced a particular situation or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While the phrase is commonly understood, its frequency is rare. It is primarily used in news reporting and general descriptive contexts, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in sources like The New York Times and BBC. When writing, ensure the causal relationship is clear and that a simpler descriptive sentence isn't more appropriate. Remember, alternatives like "because it was raining" or "since it was raining" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because it was raining

Direct synonym, replacing "as" with "because" for a more explicit causal relationship.

since it was raining

Similar to "because", indicating a reason or cause for something.

due to the rain

More concise, focusing on the rain as the cause.

owing to the rain

More formal alternative to "due to the rain".

given that it was raining

Emphasizes the condition of rain as a premise.

with the rain falling

Describes the state of rain occurring at the same time.

in light of the rain

Highlights the rain as a relevant factor to consider.

considering the rain

Similar to "in light of the rain", focusing on the rain as a condition.

as rain was falling

Slightly more descriptive, emphasizing the action of the rain.

seeing as it was raining

Informal alternative to "since it was raining".

FAQs

What does "as it was raining" mean?

The phrase "as it was raining" indicates that the condition of rain is the reason for something else. It is a way of explaining why something happened or why someone took a particular action.

How can I use "as it was raining" in a sentence?

You can use "as it was raining" to connect two clauses, where the first clause is the result or consequence, and the second clause is the reason. For example, "We stayed inside, as it was raining."

What can I say instead of "as it was raining"?

You can use alternatives like "because it was raining", "since it was raining", or "due to the rain" depending on the context.

Is "as it rained" the same as "as it was raining"?

While similar, "as it rained" implies a completed action of raining, while "as it was raining" suggests an ongoing condition that serves as the reason for something else. The continuous form emphasizes the duration of the rain.