it was drizzling

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'it was drizzling' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a light rain that is falling. For example: "I opened my umbrella as soon as I stepped outside. It was drizzling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It was drizzling outside.

The New Yorker

It was drizzling.

The Guardian - Books

It was drizzling at the time.

The New York Times

It was drizzling when I arrived.

The New York Times

It was drizzling the morning that we left our hotel.

The New York Times - Travel

It was drizzling again when Naema returned with Baby.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It was drizzled with a warm balsamic dressing and featured crisp pancetta and shaved Parmesan.

The New York Times

On our visit, it was more like a tasty rice casserole, since the grains were soft throughout; it was drizzled with a sweet balsamic vinegar reduction.

The New York Times

It is drizzling slightly and we wear fleeces.

The Guardian - Travel

According to a Twitter post from Labour's Douglas Alexander, who is in the constituency delivering leaflets, it's drizzling.

The Guardian

It's drizzling in Glasgow, but it's not cold and, approaching the science museum, there was a glorious rainbow in the sky.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was drizzling" to set a scene or describe a weather condition where the rain is light and not heavy. This phrase evokes a sense of gentle, persistent moisture.

Common error

Avoid using "it was drizzling" when the rain is more intense or persistent. If the rain is heavier, opt for phrases like "it was raining lightly" or "it was showering".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was drizzling" functions as an impersonal verb phrase describing the weather. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a light rain. Many examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in setting a scene or describing an atmospheric condition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Travel

15%

Books

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was drizzling" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe light rain. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Travel, and Book contexts, this phrase serves to set scenes and describe atmospheric conditions. When employing this phrase, it's best to ensure it accurately reflects a light rain, as confusing it with heavier rainfall would be an error. For similar expressions, consider alternatives like "a light rain was falling" or "it was raining lightly". Overall, "it was drizzling" is a versatile phrase that effectively paints a picture of gentle rainfall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was raining lightly

Substitutes "drizzling" with "raining lightly", clarifying the intensity of the rain.

a light rain was falling

Replaces "drizzling" with a more descriptive phrase, focusing on the type of rain.

a fine rain was coming down

Emphasizes the small size of the raindrops using "fine rain".

there was a light shower

Uses "shower" to indicate a brief period of light rain, differing in the duration.

a gentle rain was falling

Highlights the mild nature of the rain using the adjective "gentle".

it was spitting

Employs the colloquial term "spitting" to describe very light rain.

the rain was misty

Focuses on the misty quality of the rain, highlighting visibility.

the air was damp with rain

Shifts focus to the effect of the rain on the air, emphasizing humidity.

a sprinkle was in the air

Indicates a very light and scattered rain using "sprinkle".

the sky was weeping

Uses a more figurative and poetic expression to describe light rain.

FAQs

What does "it was drizzling" mean?

The phrase "it was drizzling" describes a light rain, often with very small droplets. It suggests a gentle and persistent type of rainfall.

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

You can use alternatives like "a light rain was falling", "it was raining lightly", or "there was a light shower" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is drizzling" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is drizzling" is grammatically correct. It's the present continuous form of the verb, indicating that the light rain is currently happening, while "it was drizzling" refers to past occurrence.

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

You can use "it was drizzling" to describe the weather in the past, such as "I decided to stay inside because "it was drizzling"" or "It was drizzling when we left the house".