it is drizzling

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is drizzling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to light rain, usually when it has been raining for a short period of time. For example: "I stepped out of the office and noticed that it was drizzling outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is drizzling slightly and we wear fleeces.

The Guardian - Travel

It is drizzling.

HuffPost

Add a little water so it is drizzling consistency.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is drizzling and cold in Salford, but a class of eight- and nine-year-olds from Lewis Street school in Patricroft are buzzing as their teachers lead them down the streets of terraced houses between classes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The tonkatsu sauce had a little applesauce in it, which gave it a light texture and a subtle flavor; it is drizzled over the meat.

The New York Times - Food

In the Philippines, it is drizzled onto halo-halo, the popular dessert of shaved ice, coconut and a riot of toppings; in Jamaica, it's mixed with stout, sherry and nutmeg to make a robust cream punch.

The New York Times

By a written Iowa Department of Revenue & Finance opinion, Chocolate Drizzle Rice Krispies Treats are exempt from the sales tax: "The fact that it is drizzled with chocolate is not sufficient to constitute a taxable candy-coated item".

Forbes

It was drizzling outside.

The New Yorker

It was drizzling.

The New Yorker

It was drizzling at the time.

The New York Times

It was drizzling when I arrived.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is drizzling" to describe a light, gentle rain, particularly when the drops are very small and fall softly.

Common error

Avoid using "it is drizzling" when the rain is more intense. Use terms like "it is raining heavily" or "it is pouring" instead to accurately describe the rainfall.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is drizzling" functions as a descriptive statement about the current weather condition. It indicates a light, gentle rain. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is drizzling" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for describing light rain. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability in writing. Though relatively rare, it's commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intensity of the rain, and consider alternatives like "it is misting" or "it is raining lightly" for nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's lightly raining

This alternative uses "lightly raining" instead of "drizzling", emphasizing the gentle nature of the rain.

It is raining lightly

Similar meaning, but uses "raining lightly" instead of "drizzling".

It's sprinkling

Uses "sprinkling" to describe very light rain.

There's a light shower

Replaces "drizzling" with "light shower", indicating a brief period of light rain.

It's misting

Misting suggests a very fine spray of water, similar to drizzle.

A fine rain is falling

Uses a more descriptive and slightly formal tone to convey the same meaning.

It's raining softly

Emphasizes the gentleness of the rain using "softly".

The rain is drizzling

Highlights the action of the rain by making it the subject of the sentence.

There's a drizzle

Uses the noun form "drizzle" to indicate the light rain.

A light rain is falling

Simply states there's a light rain, conveying the same information.

FAQs

What does "it is drizzling" mean?

"It is drizzling" means that there is a very light rain falling. The drops are usually small and the amount of rainfall is minimal.

What can I say instead of "it is drizzling"?

You can use alternatives like "it is raining lightly", "it is misting", or "it is sprinkling".

Is "it is drizzling" formal or informal?

"It is drizzling" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal options like "a fine rain is falling" exist.

How to use "it is drizzling" in a sentence?

You can use "it is drizzling" in a sentence like: "Bring an umbrella, it is drizzling outside" or "Even though "it is drizzling out", we still went for a walk".