it start raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it start raining" is not correct in written English.
The correct form should be "it started raining" or "it is starting to rain." Example: "I was enjoying the picnic until it started raining unexpectedly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It started raining".

The New York Times

And then it starts raining.

The New Yorker

Especially if it starts raining.

The Guardian - Music

"It started raining," he said.

The New Yorker

Halfway through, it starts raining again.

The Guardian - Film

Then one day it started raining.

The New York Times

Soon after that it started raining.

The Guardian - Travel

and then it starts raining down and moving down".

The New York Times

"It started raining and just wouldn't stop," Russell said.

The New York Times - Sports

I was pleased… until it started raining heavily the next week.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I lost my watch, and it started raining".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use correct tense and subject-verb agreement. Instead of "it start raining", use "it started raining" or "it is starting to rain".

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb "start" after the pronoun "it" in this context. This violates subject-verb agreement and tense consistency. Ensure you conjugate the verb correctly to reflect the intended timing of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it start raining" functions as an incorrect clause attempting to describe the commencement of rainfall. Ludwig AI identifies that the phrase does not follow standard English grammar rules because it lacks proper subject-verb agreement and tense.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it start raining" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Ludwig AI flags the phrase as non-standard English because it does not adhere to subject-verb agreement and tense rules. The correct forms are "it started raining" or "it is starting to rain". These alternatives accurately convey the intended meaning of the beginning of rainfall. Remember to always use correct verb tenses and subject-verb agreement to ensure clear and effective communication in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is starting to rain

This alternative uses the present continuous tense, making the phrase grammatically correct.

it started to rain

This alternative uses the past tense, providing a grammatically correct way to express the beginning of rain.

it has started raining

This alternative uses the present perfect tense, indicating that the rain started sometime in the past and may continue.

it begins to rain

This alternative uses "begins" instead of "start" providing a more grammatically sound structure.

the rain is starting

This alternative rephrases the sentence to focus on the rain itself, using the present continuous tense.

rain starts falling

This alternative changes the structure to emphasize the action of the rain falling.

the rain begins

This alternative is a concise way of saying that the rain is commencing.

it's about to rain

This alternative implies an imminent start of rainfall.

rain is coming down

This alternative suggests that the rain has already started.

precipitation is starting

This alternative uses a more formal term for rain to express the beginning of rainfall.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "it start raining"?

The correct way to say it is "it started raining" or "it is starting to rain". The original phrase lacks proper tense and subject-verb agreement.

What are some alternatives to "it start raining"?

You can use phrases like "it began to rain", "rain is coming down", or simply "it is raining" depending on the context.

Is "it start raining" grammatically correct?

No, "it start raining" is not grammatically correct. The verb "start" needs to be conjugated to match the subject and tense. Correct options include "it started raining" or "it is starting to rain".

What's the difference between "it start raining" and "it started raining"?

"It start raining" is grammatically incorrect due to the lack of proper verb conjugation. "It started raining" is the correct past tense form, indicating that the rain began at some point in the past.