rain was still falling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rain was still falling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe ongoing rain during a specific time or event, often to set a scene or convey a mood. Example: "As we walked through the empty streets, the rain was still falling, creating a melancholic atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Rain was still falling.

The New York Times - Sports

Outside, the rain was still falling and the queue didn't appear to have shortened.

The Guardian

Rain was still falling at 4 p.m., making it too late to complete the 90-lap race before sunset.

The New York Times - Sports

In the afternoon it stormed, and rain was still falling by the time we arrived at Cemoro Lawang, the gateway village to Mount Bromo.

The New York Times - Travel

When Nall went home, at about 2 a.m., rain was still falling, and he had the ominous feeling that worse news was to come.

The New Yorker

The white people ran away to the taunts of "fascistas!" By 10 a.m., the rain was still falling and the men went home.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Rain is still falling in Baltimore.

The New York Times

The rain is still falling, but less disruptively, as the players have a quick warm-up.

The New York Times

Photograph: Screengrab 4.39pm BST The rain is still falling steadily And if the forecast is to be believed we could be in for something akin to this: Facebook Twitter Pinterest 4.29pm BST Despite the rain … there is play in the county championship today.

The Guardian - Sport

The rain is still falling, as the bands of squalls pass though, but the major danger seems to have passed.

BBC

The rain is still falling but Jennie Gow suggests the current clouds could be set to move on within the next 10 minutes.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "rain was still falling" to emphasize the duration or persistence of rain during a specific event or time, creating a sense of continuity or setting a particular mood. For example, use it when describing a scene in a story or reporting on a weather condition.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses abruptly when using "rain was still falling". Ensure that the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent past tense to avoid confusing the reader. For example, don't switch to present tense mid-description unless there's a clear reason and signal for doing so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rain was still falling" primarily functions as a descriptive clause, often used to set the scene or provide context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and helps establish a particular atmosphere or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rain was still falling" is a grammatically sound and contextually versatile expression used to depict the continuation of rainfall in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not overly frequent, appearing as uncommon, its presence in reputable news sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and in business contexts, underscores its reliability. The phrase serves to set scenes, evoke moods, and provide temporal context, making it a valuable tool for writers aiming to convey a sense of continuity or persistence. Consider alternatives like "it was still raining" or "the rain continued to fall" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rain continued to fall

Focuses on the continuation of the rain, using 'continued' instead of 'was still'.

it was still raining

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the ongoing action of raining.

the rain persisted

Uses 'persisted' to indicate the rain's unwavering continuation.

rain kept falling

Employs 'kept falling' to highlight the continuous nature of the rainfall.

the downpour persisted

Substitutes 'rain' with 'downpour' to imply heavy rain and uses 'persisted' to maintain the continuous action.

rainfall was ongoing

Replaces 'falling' with 'ongoing' to describe the continuous state of rainfall.

the rain showed no signs of stopping

Expresses the idea by emphasizing the absence of termination of the rain.

the wet weather lingered

Uses 'wet weather' as a substitute for 'rain' and 'lingered' to show its prolonged presence.

precipitation continued

Employs the more formal term 'precipitation' to denote rain, emphasizing the continuation of the event.

the skies continued to weep

Uses a metaphorical expression with 'weep' to represent raining, focusing on the continuous nature.

FAQs

What does "rain was still falling" mean?

The phrase "rain was still falling" means that it had already started raining and the rain continued without stopping at a specific point in time.

How can I use "rain was still falling" in a sentence?

You can use "rain was still falling" to set a scene, describe a mood, or provide context to an event. For example: "Even after sunset, the "rain was still falling", making the streets slick and deserted."

What can I say instead of "rain was still falling"?

You can use alternatives like "it was still raining", "the rain continued to fall", or "the rain persisted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "rain is still falling" instead of "rain was still falling"?

Yes, "rain is still falling" is correct, but it indicates the rain's continuation in the present moment. "Rain was still falling" describes the continuation of rain at a specific time in the past.