it is raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'It is raining' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to make a statement about the current weather. For example, "I can't go outside today because it is raining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is raining — snow is on its way.

TechCrunch

It is raining.

The New York Times

Outside it is raining.

The New Yorker

It is raining again.

The New Yorker

DRIVER: It is raining.

The New Yorker

"Because governor, it is raining".

The New York Times

It is raining unremitting sheets.

The Guardian - Travel

As the play opens, it is raining.

The New Yorker

"In England, it is raining very long".

The New York Times - Sports

Thursday morning it is raining again.

The New York Times

He says it is "raining stair rods".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is raining" to describe the current weather condition. Ensure context is clear (e.g., "I can't go out because it is raining").

Common error

Don't use "it is raining" when you mean something else metaphorically. Be clear if you're using it literally or figuratively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is raining" functions as a statement of fact describing the current weather condition. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts from literal descriptions to metaphorical expressions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is raining" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the present weather condition. As indicated by Ludwig, it's used across various contexts, from News & Media to scientific publications. The phrase functions primarily to inform, and its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal use. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and avoid ambiguity if a metaphorical interpretation is not intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is pouring

Describes a heavier intensity of rain.

rain is falling

A more literal description of the phenomenon.

it's coming down

An informal way of saying it's raining.

it's raining cats and dogs

An idiomatic expression for very heavy rain.

there's a downpour

Implies a sudden and heavy rainfall.

the rain is pelting down

Describes rain falling with force.

it is drizzling

Describes a very light rain.

we are having a shower

Another way to indicate rain.

the heavens are weeping

A metaphorical way of describing rain.

it is a wet day

General description of a rainy day.

FAQs

What does "it is raining" mean?

The phrase "it is raining" simply means that rain is currently falling from the sky.

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

You can use alternatives like "it is pouring", "rain is falling", or "there's a downpour" depending on the intensity and context.

Is it correct to say "it rains" instead of "it is raining"?

While "it rains" is grammatically correct, "it is raining" typically refers to the present continuous action. "It rains" is more general, referring to a habitual action or characteristic of a place.

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

You can use "it is raining" in a sentence to describe the current weather, such as "I can't go to the park because "it is raining"" or "It is raining, so I'll take an umbrella".