it was pouring

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "it was pouring" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a heavy rainfall. For example, "The sky darkened quickly and it was pouring, so I quickly ran to take shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was pouring.

The New Yorker

And it was pouring.

The New Yorker

And then it was pouring.

The New York Times - Sports

It was pouring rain.

The New York Times

Outside, it was pouring.

The New Yorker

By 9 40, it was pouring again.

The New York Times - Sports

"And it was pouring," said Carrie.

The New York Times

It was raining again; it was pouring.

The New Yorker

Friday morning it was pouring.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

On Thursday it was pouring, and the ticket-seekers had gathered under overhangs.

Los Angeles Times

Only one thing was wrong with Brays Island it was pouring rain there the next morning.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was pouring" to vividly describe a heavy rainfall, creating a strong image in the reader's mind. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something being dispensed in large quantities.

Common error

While "it was pouring" is a common expression, avoid overuse, which can make your writing sound predictable. Mix it up with other descriptive phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was pouring" functions as an independent clause, serving primarily to describe the state of the weather, specifically heavy rainfall. Ludwig examples confirm its straightforward usage in setting a scene or providing context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was pouring" is a grammatically sound and exceedingly common phrase employed to depict heavy rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage, notably in news and media contexts. While versatile, consider diversifying your descriptive vocabulary to avert overuse. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse communicative settings. Understanding its purpose and function will enhance your writing, ensuring clarity and impact. The expression, as shown by Ludwig, can also be used metaphorically to imply abundance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was raining heavily

Focuses on the intensity of the rain, similar to "it was pouring".

a torrential rain fell

Uses 'torrential' to describe the intensity of the rain.

rain was coming down in sheets

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the rain, highlighting its density.

the rain was bucketing down

Implies the rain was falling rapidly and heavily.

it was coming down in buckets

Similar to 'bucketing down', this highlights the volume of rain.

it was raining cats and dogs

An idiomatic expression that means it was raining very hard.

rain lashed down

Describes the rain as forceful and aggressive.

a deluge was underway

Uses a more dramatic term, 'deluge', to describe the heavy rain.

the heavens opened

A metaphorical way of saying it started to rain very heavily.

the skies unleashed a downpour

More poetic, indicating a sudden and intense rainfall.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was pouring" to describe heavy rainfall, such as "It was pouring rain when I left the house" or metaphorically to describe a large outpouring of something, like "It was pouring out of the taps".

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

You can use alternatives like "it was raining heavily", "it was raining cats and dogs", or "the rain was bucketing down depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it was pouring with rain"?

Yes, "it was pouring with rain" is a grammatically correct and commonly used variation of "it was pouring", particularly in British English.

Can "it was pouring" be used to describe something other than rain?

Yes, "it was pouring" can be used metaphorically to describe anything being dispensed or given out in large quantities. For example, "it was pouring platitudes" or "it was pouring our own money into this".