it is hardly raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is hardly raining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the rain is very light or almost negligible. Example: "I was planning to go for a walk, but I checked the weather and it is hardly raining, so I think I will go after all."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Anchorage, for example, temperatures have remained above normal for 32 straight days, and it's hardly rained.

The Washington Post

It is hardly statesmanship.

Independent

It is hardly alone.

The New York Times

It is hardly new.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is hardly surprising.

BBC

It is hardly innovative.

BBC

I'm sure Ireland's a lovely place – think of all those rolling green hills, the butter, the friendly accents – but it's hardly the Balearics: it rains all the time, everyone looks gaunt and miserable or fat and miserable.

Vice

It was hardly a surprising mistake, given that the greens were running at warp speed before the 3 p.m. rains slowed them down.

The New York Times - Sports

It was hardly concealed.

The New York Times

It was hardly necessary.

The New Yorker

It was hardly surprising.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is hardly raining" to downplay the presence of rain, perhaps when suggesting an activity should continue despite minimal precipitation.

Common error

Avoid using "it is hardly raining" when there is a significant downpour. This phrase is meant to describe very light or almost non-existent rain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is hardly raining" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb is raining. It indicates the extent or degree to which it is raining, suggesting the amount of rain is minimal. Ludwig provides examples of similar uses of the phrase 'hardly' to modify verbs.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is hardly raining" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that the amount of rain is minimal or almost non-existent. While Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct and usable, there aren't many examples of it in use from authoritative sources. Alternatives like "it is barely raining" or "it is not really raining" can be used. When employing this phrase, be sure the context accurately reflects the lightness of the rainfall to avoid misrepresentation. It can be employed in various contexts, though its frequency in formal or scientific writing appears limited. As there are limited example in the search data, some fields are filled with generic descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's barely raining

This alternative emphasizes the scant amount of rain, suggesting it's almost not raining at all.

it's not really raining

This phrase suggests the precipitation is so light that it doesn't qualify as real rain.

it's drizzling a bit

This indicates a very light rain, almost like a mist.

there's a slight drizzle

This phrase highlights the presence of a very fine and light rain.

the rain is very light

This directly states the low intensity of the rainfall.

it's only spitting

This British English expression describes a very light, intermittent rain.

there's a fine mist

This suggests the rain is so fine it's almost like a fog.

it's sprinkling slightly

This indicates a very light and scattered rain.

the rain is negligible

This emphasizes that the rain is so insignificant it's practically non-existent.

it's not even raining properly

This phrase implies the rain is weak and ineffective.

FAQs

What does "it is hardly raining" mean?

The phrase "it is hardly raining" means that there is very little rain, almost to the point of not raining at all. It suggests a minimal amount of precipitation.

What can I say instead of "it is hardly raining"?

You can use alternatives like "it is barely raining", "it is not really raining", or "it is drizzling" depending on the context.

Is "it is hardly raining" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is hardly raining" is grammatically correct. The structure follows standard English grammar rules.

How formal is the phrase "it is hardly raining"?

The phrase "it is hardly raining" is generally considered neutral in terms of formality. It can be used in both informal and moderately formal contexts.