it starts raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "it starts raining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the beginning of rain, often in a narrative or story. Example: We were walking down the street when it started raining, so we quickly ran for shelter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And then it starts raining.

The New Yorker

Especially if it starts raining.

The Guardian - Music

Halfway through, it starts raining again.

The Guardian - Film

and then it starts raining down and moving down".

The New York Times

Once it starts raining, there are fewer people.

The Guardian - Business

So, Smyth, what do we need?" Oh, you mean if it starts raining now?

The Guardian - Sport

It gets worse, Allah decides to drain his swimming pool and it starts raining.

The Guardian

If I'm out and it starts raining, I slow down and hope for the best.

The New York Times

It starts raining, and about every third person opens an umbrella — that way the entire crowd is protected.

The New York Times

— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) 18 Oct 12 I hope it starts raining soon so we can better enjoy this rain delay.

The New York Times

You have to be aware of the ground conditions – are they going to change if it starts raining?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it starts raining" in narrative contexts to describe a change in weather conditions, often setting the scene for subsequent events or affecting the mood of the scene.

Common error

Avoid using "it start raining" or "it is start raining", as these are grammatically incorrect. Use "it starts raining" (present tense) or "it started raining" (past tense) depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it starts raining" functions as an intransitive verb phrase. It describes an action performed by the subject "it", which refers to the weather, and does not take a direct object. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it starts raining" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe the commencement of rainfall. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for general use. It appears most commonly in news and media contexts, but also in wikis and encyclopedias, showcasing its versatility. While closely related phrases like "it begins to rain" offer similar meanings, understanding the proper tense and avoiding incorrect forms like "it start raining" are key to effective usage. The phrase serves to set scenes, influence moods, and drive narratives in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's starting to rain

Contraction used to be more conversational.

it begins to rain

Slightly more formal than the original phrase.

rain is starting

Highlights the ongoing process of the rain beginning.

rain begins to fall

Focuses on the physical action of rain falling.

the rain is coming down

Emphasizes the action of the rain.

the rain commences

More formal and emphasizes the start of the rain.

rain sets in

Implies a more prolonged period of rain.

the downpour starts

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful nature of the rain.

the heavens open

Idiomatic expression suggesting a sudden, heavy downpour.

precipitation begins

A more scientific and less common way to express the same idea.

FAQs

What does "it starts raining" mean?

The phrase "it starts raining" describes the beginning of a period of rainfall. It indicates that rain is commencing or has just commenced.

What's the difference between "it starts raining" and "it begins to rain"?

The phrases "it starts raining" and "it begins to rain" are largely interchangeable and have the same meaning. The latter might be perceived as slightly more formal.

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

You can use alternatives like "rain begins to fall", "it's starting to rain", or "the rain commences" depending on the context.

How can I use "it starts raining" in a sentence?

You can use "it starts raining" to describe an event that occurs when the rain begins. For example: "We were walking in the park when it starts raining, so we ran for cover."