it was still raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'it was still raining' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in any situation where it is raining or has recently rained. For example, "I opened the window and looked outside - it was still raining".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It was still raining.

The New Yorker

It was still raining, though lightly now.

The Guardian

It was still raining; there was nowhere to go.

The New Yorker

It was still raining, a little harder than before.

The New Yorker

When he left the bar the sky was still light; it was still raining.

The New Yorker

It was still raining when we came out of the Museum.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

And it's still raining.

The Washington Post

5.44pm It's still raining.

The Guardian - Sport

It's still raining is the news.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's still raining," he added.

The Guardian

6.50pm BST UPDATE It's still raining.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was still raining" to set a mood or describe a persistent condition. The phrase is suitable for both narrative and descriptive writing. You can use it to indicate that an expected change in weather has not occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "it was still raining" when describing a current, ongoing situation. In such cases, "it is still raining" is the appropriate tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was still raining" functions as an impersonal clause providing a description of the weather at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI also confirms, its purpose is to state a continuing condition. It sets a context for events or feelings related to this weather condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Travel

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Sports

3%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was still raining" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a continuing rainy condition in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for written English and useful in varied settings. The phrase appears mostly in news and media contexts, but it's also used in travel, sports, and wiki articles, which shows that it's widely applicable. When using it, ensure your tense is correct, using 'is' for current rain, and 'was' for the past. For slight changes in emphasis, you can use phrases like "the rain persisted" or "it kept raining".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it hadn't stopped raining

Focuses on the lack of cessation of the rain.

it kept raining

Highlights the repetitive or uninterrupted nature of the rain.

rain was still falling

A more descriptive way of saying that the rain hadn't stopped.

the rain continued

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the rainfall.

the downpour continued

Specifically refers to a heavy rain that is ongoing.

the rain was showing no sign of stopping

Emphasizes the seemingly endless nature of the rainfall.

the rain persisted

Focuses on the continuation of the rain itself.

the shower was ongoing

More suitable if referring to a light or moderate rain.

the wet weather persisted

Broader term encompassing the overall rainy conditions.

the skies were still weeping

A more poetic way of describing the continuous rain.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it was still raining"?

You can use alternatives like "the rain persisted", "it kept raining", or "the downpour continued" depending on the context.

How do I use "it was still raining" in a sentence?

"It was still raining" is often used to describe a continuing condition in the past. For example, "Even after sunset, it was still raining, so we stayed inside".

What's the difference between "it is still raining" and "it was still raining"?

"It is still raining" refers to the present, while "it was still raining" refers to a past situation. The first describes current weather, the second describes weather at a point in the past.

Is "it was still raining" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was still raining" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms this, indicating that the phrase is usable in written English for situations where it is raining or has recently rained.