it was hailing

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was hailing" is correct and acceptable in written English.
It is used to describe the weather condition of hail falling from the sky. It is often used when the speaker wants to convey that the hail is currently falling or has recently fallen. Here is an example: Example sentence: "I had to rush to my car because it was hailing outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Last year, he noted happily, "there was snow on the mountains, and it was hailing on the beach".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

IN 2004, when Bob Dylan published his memoir, "Chronicles: Volume One," it was hailed for its striking candor.

The New York Times

On its discovery in 2008, it was hailed as one of the most significant Roman finds in decades.

The Guardian

It was hailed in the Guardian for its "Pratchettian vigour and invention".

The Guardian - Books

Remember when it was hailed as an iPad killer with its fancy IPS screen, low price and sweet name.

TechCrunch

It was hailed as a breakthrough.

The Economist

But it was hailed as revolutionary.

The Economist

It was hailed as a clever stroke.

The Economist

It was hailed for what it had become.

The New York Times - Sports

It was hailed as visionary and scorned as impractical.

The New York Times

IT WAS hailed as "Australia's own car".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was hailing" to describe a specific instance of hail falling. It emphasizes the immediate weather condition and is suitable for personal accounts and descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was hailing" when you intend to describe rain, sleet, or snow. Hail is a distinct form of precipitation involving ice pellets, so ensure the weather matches the term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was hailing" functions as a descriptive statement, specifically indicating that the weather condition at a particular time involved hail. This aligns with Ludwig's assertion of correctness, describing a weather event in the past.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was hailing" is a grammatically correct way to describe past weather conditions involving hail, as confirmed by Ludwig. While it is not exceedingly common, its usage is clear and straightforward, predominantly found in news and media contexts. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar weather events, and understanding the nuances between these options can enhance precision in writing. Remembering to distinguish hail from other forms of precipitation and using "it was hailing" to accurately depict the presence of ice pellets ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hail was falling

Rephrases to focus on the action of hail falling, using a slightly more descriptive tone.

there was hail

Simplifies the original phrase, emphasizing the presence of hail as a weather event.

it was a hailstorm

Identifies the event as a hailstorm, emphasizing the intensity and nature of the weather.

hailstones were coming down

Provides a more vivid image of the weather, highlighting the physical nature of the hailstones.

we experienced hail

Shifts the focus to the experience of the hail, emphasizing the impact on those present.

the weather turned to hail

Highlights the change in weather conditions, indicating a transition to hail.

it hailed

Uses a more concise and direct form of the verb, simplifying the original statement.

there was a shower of hail

Specifies a shower of hail, emphasizing a shorter duration and lighter intensity of hail.

hail pelted down

Describes the forceful descent of hail, adding a sense of intensity to the weather event.

a hailstorm occurred

Offers a more formal and detached description of the hailstorm, suitable for reports.

FAQs

How can I use "it was hailing" in a sentence?

You can use "it was hailing" to describe a situation where hail was falling. For example, "We decided to stay inside because "it was hailing" heavily."

What's the difference between "it was hailing" and "it hailed"?

"It was hailing" describes the continuous action of hail falling, while "it hailed" is a simple past tense statement indicating that hail fell at some point. For example, "Yesterday, "it hailed" for a few minutes, but today, "it was hailing" for hours."

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

You can use alternatives like "hail was falling", "there was hail", or "it was a hailstorm" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "it is hailing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is hailing" is grammatically correct. It is the present continuous tense, indicating that hail is currently falling. The past continuous tense is "it was hailing", indicating that hail was falling at a specific time in the past.