not raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not raining" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the absence of rain. For example: "It was sunny and the sky was clear, so it was not raining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not raining.

The New York Times

But not raining.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's not raining.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's not raining," he said.

The New York Times

"At least it's not raining".

The New Yorker

"But it's not raining," I said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mind you, it's not raining yet.

The Guardian - Sport

At least it's not raining outside.

The Guardian - Sport

But at least it's not raining.

The New York Times - Travel

O.K., even when it's not raining.

The New Yorker

"When it's not raining, I get bored," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not raining" to clearly and directly state the absence of rain, especially when contrasting it with a previous or expected rainy condition. For example, "It was supposed to rain, but thankfully, it's "not raining"."

Common error

Avoid using "not raining" when a more descriptive term like "sunny" or "clear" would better capture the actual weather conditions. "Not raining" simply states the absence of rain, but doesn't convey additional positive attributes of the weather.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not raining" functions as a descriptive statement indicating the absence of rain. It serves to negate the action of raining. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not raining" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the absence of rain. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is frequently found in news reports and casual conversations, serving to inform about the current weather, often in contrast to expectations. While simple, it effectively conveys the condition of dryness and can be replaced with more descriptive terms like "clear skies" or "sunny" for added detail. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it isn't raining

Rephrases the statement using the contraction "isn't" for a slightly more informal tone.

no rain is falling

Emphasizes the absence of falling rain, providing a more descriptive alternative.

there's no rainfall

A more formal way to state the absence of rain, using the noun "rainfall".

the rain has stopped

Indicates that it was previously raining, but the rain is no longer occurring.

the showers have ceased

Indicates that any previous showers or light rain have stopped.

it's dry outside

Focuses on the overall condition of dryness, implying the absence of rain.

precipitation-free

A more technical term to indicate no form of precipitation is occurring.

the weather is clear

Indicates favorable weather conditions, where rain is absent and the sky is likely clear.

it's a rain-free day

Highlights the entire day as being without rain.

sunny skies prevail

Suggests a bright and sunny condition instead of rain.

FAQs

How can I use "not raining" in a sentence?

You can use "not raining" to state that there is no rain, as in "The game will continue as long as it's "not raining"".

What's a more descriptive alternative to "not raining"?

While "not raining" simply indicates the absence of rain, alternatives like "sunny" or "clear skies" can provide a more vivid picture of the weather.

When is it appropriate to use "it isn't raining" instead of "not raining"?

"It isn't raining" is a more conversational alternative that can be used interchangeably with "not raining" in most informal contexts. The choice often comes down to personal preference or desired tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it not raining"?

No, "it not raining" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it is not raining" or the contraction "it isn't raining".