it began pouring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it began pouring" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the start of heavy rain. Example: "As we were enjoying our picnic, it began pouring, forcing us to seek shelter under the trees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Google is considered the sector's leader in artificial intelligence after it began pouring resources into the area about four years ago.

The Guardian - Tech

But, last week, when Trump let the R.N.C. know that he was supporting Moore, it began pouring money into his campaign.

The New Yorker

Brian Lehrman and Holly Thornton were about to tie the knot in a destination wedding in Florida when it began pouring rain.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Holding it aloft, he began pouring it slowly, ceremonially, over the old man.

The New Yorker

Mitchell filled a bucket himself and began pouring it over the old man.

The New Yorker

The Yankees took a 3-1 lead in the fifth, all of their runs scoring as a result of Toronto's defensive mistakes, and began pouring it on.

The New York Times - Sports

Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood soon began pouring through it, gradually turning, and then threatening to unravel, the northern flank of the Union Army's southern branch.

The New York Times

It wasn't long before inquiries from investors began pouring in.

The New York Times - Tech

Within months, it had garnered more than 80,000 signatures, and the stories began pouring in.

HuffPost

It's perhaps not coincidental that at around this time he began pouring his suppressed hurt into songs.

The Guardian - Music

It appears that the new brain tissue from the fetal cells overgrew and began pouring out too much dopamine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it began pouring" to vividly describe the sudden onset of heavy rainfall or a similar deluge. This phrase is effective in setting a scene or emphasizing a turning point in a narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "it began pouring" when describing a gradual increase in rain intensity. This phrase is most impactful when illustrating a sudden and significant change in weather conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it began pouring" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the commencement of an action (pouring) by an unspecified subject ("it", referring to rain). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it began pouring" is a grammatically sound and vividly descriptive phrase used to indicate the sudden start of heavy rain or a metaphorical deluge. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While primarily found in News & Media contexts, as shown in the provided examples, its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles. Consider alternative phrases like "the heavens opened" or "the rain started coming down hard" for nuanced expression. Avoid using the phrase when describing a gradual increase in rain intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the rain started coming down hard

This alternative specifies that the rain not only started, but also intensified quickly.

the heavens opened

This phrase uses a more dramatic and figurative expression to describe the start of heavy rain.

it started to bucket down

This option employs a more colloquial expression to indicate a downpour.

a downpour commenced

This version uses a formal tone replacing "it began" with "commenced".

heavy rain set in

This alternative is less sudden, suggesting the rain became persistent.

the skies unleashed a deluge

This phrase evokes a more intense and forceful image of heavy rainfall.

it commenced raining heavily

This formal version replaces "began pouring" with a more verbose expression.

rain lashed down

This implies a more violent and forceful impact of the rain.

the heavens erupted

This variant suggests a sudden and powerful release of rain.

it unleashed a torrent

This metaphorical alternative describes a sudden and abundant flow, not necessarily rain.

FAQs

What does "it began pouring" mean?

The phrase "it began pouring" means that heavy rain started suddenly. It suggests a rapid and intense onset of rainfall.

What are some alternatives to "it began pouring"?

Some alternatives include "the rain started coming down hard", "the heavens opened", or "it started to bucket down", depending on the context.

Is "it began pouring" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it began pouring" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe the start of heavy rain.

Can "it began pouring" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "it began pouring" can be used metaphorically to describe the sudden onset of something abundant or overwhelming, like information or emotions.