raining very hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'raining very hard' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe the intensity of rain. For example: "It was raining very hard, so I had to carry an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was raining very hard.

The New York Times

I'll only drive if it's raining very hard".

The New York Times

All the more inconceivable it is, Amalie, because right now it is raining very hard again in Bridgetown.

The Guardian - Sport

On Monday, trees were whipping back and forth, one could hear the intermittent crackling of branches snapping off, and it was raining very hard.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It began to rain very hard," recalls Masi, now 34, an Italian-born, London-based photojournalist who last year also photographed the heavily polluted Bhopal region 30 years after the disaster for The New Review.

Independent

"I was playing with my friends when it started to rain very hard.

Unicef

"It was raining really hard," she said.

The New York Times

"In England, it is raining very long".

The New York Times - Sports

Rained real hard and rained for a real long time.

Huffington Post

When she was on her way home that night, it had started to rain, not very hard.

The New Yorker

Structures in arid sites protected from rain become very hard owing to the high mineral content of the woodrat's urine, which is used as cement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "raining very hard" to clearly describe a scene with intense rainfall. This phrase is suitable for both narrative and descriptive writing.

Common error

While "raining very hard" is acceptable, avoid stacking multiple intensifiers (e.g., "raining extremely very hard"). Choose one strong modifier or a more descriptive phrase instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raining very hard" functions as a descriptive expression, specifically an adjective phrase modifying the verb "raining." Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raining very hard" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing heavy rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media sources. When writing, be mindful of avoiding overuse of intensifiers and consider alternative phrases like "pouring down" or "raining heavily" for stylistic variation. The phrase effectively communicates the intensity of the rain and is appropriate for neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raining heavily

A direct synonym, simply using an adverb.

pouring down

Focuses on the action of the rain falling heavily.

raining cats and dogs

An idiomatic expression indicating very heavy rain.

heavy downpour

Highlights the event of intense rainfall.

torrential rain

Emphasizes the volume and force of the rain.

coming down in buckets

Suggests the rain is falling in large quantities.

bucketing down

A more concise way of saying "coming down in buckets".

deluging

Describes the overwhelming nature of the rain.

lashing down

Conveys the force and intensity of the rain.

storming

Highlights the presence of a storm with heavy rain.

FAQs

What does "raining very hard" mean?

The phrase "raining very hard" indicates that rain is falling with significant intensity and volume.

Is it correct to say "raining very hard"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe heavy rainfall, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

What are some alternative ways to say "raining very hard"?

You can use alternatives like "pouring down", "raining heavily", or "torrential rain" to convey the same meaning.

How does "raining very hard" compare to "raining cats and dogs"?

"Raining cats and dogs" is an idiomatic expression that means "raining very hard", while "raining very hard" is a more literal and straightforward description of the intensity of the rain.