it began raining

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The SEQ Water Grid Manager, for instance, retreated from its initial plan to introduce recycled wastewater into its drinking reservoirs after it began raining.

The New York Times

Suddenly it began raining.

The New York Times - Food

It began raining steadily at around 11 a.m. and continued throughout the day.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Pell was campaigning in Providence in 1972 when it began raining hard.

The New York Times

The area was subject to an "orange" weather alert on Friday when it began raining early in the morning.

The Guardian

It began raining again on the riders as they climbed to Prato Nevoso, making the newly paved roadway slippery.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It begins raining, and Elle decides to take advantage of it.

Wikipedia

Assuming you planted your irises in the late summer or early fall, you may stop watering your plants as soon as the weather cools and it begins raining.

WikiHow

It had just begun raining, suddenly and rather hard.

The New York Times - Travel

It will begin, rain or shine, outside the Heartland Brewery, South and Fulton Streets, Lower Manhattan; registration begins at 7 a.m.

The New York Times - Arts

Later that morning, Tuesday, it began to rain, and the rain continued through most of the day.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it began raining" to introduce a change in setting or mood. For example, "They were laughing under the summer sky. Then, "it began raining", and the mood shifted."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence when using "it began raining". For example, instead of saying "It began raining, and everyone runs inside", maintain consistency with "It began raining, and everyone ran inside".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it began raining" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the commencement of rainfall. The subject, 'it', is a dummy pronoun referring to the weather. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it began raining" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered phrase used to indicate the start of rainfall. As identified by Ludwig AI, it's more common in news and media contexts and serves primarily to describe a change in weather. While alternatives like "rain started" offer brevity, and phrases like "the heavens opened" add dramatic flair, "it began raining" provides a clear and straightforward way to introduce rain into a narrative or description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rain started

A more concise way to express the same event; simpler phrasing.

the rain commenced

Uses a more formal verb, 'commenced', for 'began'.

rain set in

Suggests the rain is likely to continue for some time.

the heavens opened

A more figurative and dramatic way of saying it started raining heavily.

it started to pour

Specifically indicates heavy rain.

a downpour began

Focuses on the intensity of the rainfall.

the first drops fell

Highlights the initial stage of the rain.

rain pattered down

Emphasizes the sound and gentle nature of the rain's beginning.

precipitation started

Uses a more technical term, 'precipitation', for 'rain'.

the weather turned wet

A more general description of the change in weather.

FAQs

What is a more formal alternative to "it began raining"?

A more formal alternative is "the rain commenced", which uses a more sophisticated verb.

How can I emphasize the intensity of the rain when saying "it began raining"?

To emphasize intensity, consider using phrases like "it started to pour" or "a downpour began".

Is it correct to say "it began to rain" instead of "it began raining"?

Yes, "it began to rain" is also correct and commonly used. Both phrases have the same meaning, but "it began raining" is more concise.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "the heavens opened" instead of "it began raining"?

The phrase "the heavens opened" is best used when you want to describe a sudden and heavy downpour, creating a more dramatic or vivid image.