it appears to be raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appears to be raining" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe the current weather condition or to express uncertainty about something. Example: "I had planned a picnic in the park, but it appears to be raining so we might have to change our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Perception is usually understood to ground defeasible epistemic warrant for belief — for example, if you look outside and it appears to be raining, you have some grounds to believe that it is raining.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the past, he said, the Leonid shower has produced, on particular dates separated by 33 years, "so many meteors it appeared to be raining meteors".

The New York Times

Loud thunderclaps can be heard, although it doesn't appear to be raining.

The New York Times - Arts

It appears to be buoyant".

The New York Times

It appears to be sandpaper.

The New York Times - Sports

"It appears to be both".

The New York Times

"It appears to be collusion.

The New York Times

It appears to be plausible.

BBC

It appears to be working.

The New York Times

Three times the match was interrupted by rain, twice when it appeared to be falling from an entirely blue sky.

BBC

It appeared to be over.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it appears to be raining" to express a tentative observation about the weather, especially when you don't have definitive proof.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "it appears to be raining" excessively. Vary your language with alternatives like "it looks like rain" or "rain seems likely" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears to be raining" functions as an impersonal observation about the weather. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct way to describe a tentative condition. Examples from diverse sources show its common use in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it appears to be raining" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a tentative observation about the weather. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use spans across various contexts, from news reports to everyday conversations. While versatile, it's advisable to use it judiciously and consider alternatives like "it seems to be raining" for stylistic variation. The neutral register makes it suitable for a broad audience, and remember that this statement has more to do with a perception of weather rather than a certain statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems to be raining

Uses "seems" instead of "appears", indicating a slightly less formal tone.

it looks like it's raining

Employs "looks like" to convey the visual impression of rain.

rain seems imminent

Focuses on the expectation of rain, rather than a current state.

the weather suggests rain

Highlights the atmospheric conditions indicating rainfall.

it gives the impression of rain

Emphasizes the perceived impression that it is raining.

indications point to rain

Highlights that there are signs that imply a rain event is about to start.

the sky suggests it may rain

Links the condition of the sky to the possibility of rain.

one might expect rain

Shifts from an observation to an anticipation or expectation.

it may rain

Expresses the potential for rain with a more concise structure.

rain is likely

Uses a direct statement about the probability of rainfall.

FAQs

How can I use "it appears to be raining" in a sentence?

You can use "it appears to be raining" to describe a weather condition when you're not entirely sure if it's raining or not. Example: "I wanted to go for a walk, but "it appears to be raining" outside."

What can I say instead of "it appears to be raining"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems to be raining", "it looks like it's raining", or "rain is likely" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it appears to be raining" or "it appears that it is raining"?

"It appears to be raining" is more concise and commonly used. "It appears that it is raining" is also correct, but can sound more formal or redundant. The first is preferable.

What's the difference between "it appears to be raining" and "it is raining"?

"It is raining" is a direct statement of fact. "It appears to be raining" suggests an observation or inference, implying you're not completely certain, perhaps because you haven't directly confirmed it.