it has started raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has started raining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that rain has begun to fall, often in a context where the weather is being discussed or when informing someone about the change in weather conditions. Example: "I was planning to go for a walk, but it has started raining, so I think I'll stay indoors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

When I discovered he was missing minutes later it had started raining.

Huffington Post

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 has started to rain.

The New Yorker

While I was away it has started to rain in Jamiaca and the players have come off the pitch but the good news is that ireland are ahead on Duckworth Lewis.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has started raining" when you want to clearly and directly indicate the beginning of rainfall. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "it has started raining" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions by focusing on the rain's impact or sensory details, rather than just stating its commencement. For example, describe the sound of the rain or how it affects the environment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has started raining" functions as a statement of fact, indicating the beginning of a period of rainfall. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and standard usage. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe a change in weather conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has started raining" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the commencement of rainfall. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and can be used to inform or explain a situation related to weather conditions. Alternatives such as "it began to rain" or "the rain has begun" can add variety to your writing, while avoiding overuse of the phrase can improve your overall writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it began to rain

Replaces "started" with "began", a synonym, resulting in slight difference in tone and emphasis.

the rain has begun

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the rain itself, rather than the act of starting.

rain has commenced

Uses the more formal "commenced" instead of "started", giving a more official tone.

it's raining now

Simplifies the statement to a present continuous tense, focusing on the current state.

the rain is starting

Uses present continuous to describe the gradual commencement of rain.

rainfall has initiated

Employs "initiated", a more formal and somewhat technical term, to indicate the start of rain.

we're getting rain

Indicates the experience of rain, focusing on the receiver of the rain.

the heavens opened

A more idiomatic and figurative expression for the sudden start of heavy rain.

the downpour began

Focuses on the intensity of the rain by using "downpour" and "began".

it's coming down

An informal way of saying that rain has started, usually implying heavy rain.

FAQs

How can I use "it has started raining" in a sentence?

You can use "it has started raining" to describe the onset of rain, like in the sentence "I was about to go for a walk, but "it has started raining"".

What are some alternatives to saying "it has started raining"?

Consider using phrases like "it began to rain", "the rain has begun", or "it's raining now" for variety.

Is it correct to say "it has started to rain" instead of "it has started raining"?

Yes, "it has started to rain" is also grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as ""it has started raining"".

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

"It started raining" refers to a specific point in the past when the rain began, while ""it has started raining"" implies that the rain began in the past and is possibly still ongoing.