it had started raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it had started raining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where rain began at some point in the past, often in relation to another past event. Example: "We were enjoying our picnic when it had started raining, forcing us to seek shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

By afternoon it had started raining.

The New York Times

It had started raining, and his guest's enthusiasm waned.

The New Yorker

It had started raining, at first a gentle thrumming on the metal roof.

The New Yorker

If only it had started raining an hour earlier, as the look for both hair and makeup at Helmut Lang's first runway show — with Nicole and Michael Colovos at the helm — was described in one word: "wet".

The New York Times

He could afford to bide his time, since it had started raining again and at this point the hottest contest was a blazing row between Chiaraviglio and assorted men in blazers about the conditions.

The Guardian - Sport

That hoof print was obvious even to the naked eye, Odadi says: "You would see that [the grassland] is greener and leafier, especially after it had started raining".

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

After weeks of drought, it has started raining intermittently in the Paris region, and some rain is forecast for Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

There's no window access here, but it must have started raining recently because why else would someone have brought a hat?

The New York Times

It had started to rain.

The New Yorker

I looked outside and it had started to rain.

The Guardian

Against the weatherman's prediction, it had started to rain.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it had started raining" to clearly indicate that the rain began before a specific point in the past, often to provide context or explain a subsequent event.

Common error

Avoid shifting to the simple past tense without a clear reason after using "it had started raining". Maintain consistency by continuing to use past perfect or past continuous tenses to describe related events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it had started raining" functions as a past perfect continuous construction, indicating that an action (raining) had begun and continued for some time before another event in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it had started raining" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that rainfall began before a specific point in the past. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable expression. While relatively uncommon, the phrase appears frequently in news and media contexts to provide context and explanation. Alternatives include "it began to rain" and "rain had commenced". When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and clearly establish the sequence of events. Ludwig's examples confirm its versatility in conveying a past event's context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it began to rain

Uses a simpler verb tense and avoids the "had started" construction.

the rain began to fall

Emphasizes the action of the rain falling.

rain had commenced

More formal, using "commenced" instead of "started".

it was raining

A simpler past continuous tense, implying an ongoing rain.

a downpour had started

Specifies the type of rain as a "downpour".

rainfall had initiated

A more technical and formal way of saying the rain began.

precipitation had begun

Uses the more general term "precipitation".

rain was setting in

Suggests the beginning of a period of rain.

the heavens opened

An idiomatic expression for a sudden and heavy downpour.

the weather turned wet

Focuses on the change in weather conditions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it had started raining"?

You can use alternatives like "it began to rain", "rain had commenced", or "the rain began to fall" depending on the context.

Is "it had started to rain" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it had started to rain" is also grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "it had started raining". The choice between the two often comes down to stylistic preference.

What is the difference between "it started raining" and "it had started raining"?

"It started raining" implies the rain began at some point in the past. "It had started raining" specifies that the rain began before another point in the past, providing a sense of sequence. For example, "We went inside because "it had started raining"" indicates the rain began before we went inside.

When should I use "it had started raining" instead of "it was raining"?

Use "it had started raining" when you want to emphasize that the rain began before another past event. Use "it was raining" to describe an ongoing state in the past without necessarily linking it to another event.