seems to be raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems to be raining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where it appears that it is currently raining, but you may not be completely certain. Example: "Looking out the window, it seems to be raining, so I think I’ll take an umbrella just in case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

IT always seems to be raining in London in THE END OF THE AFFAIR (1999), Neil Jordan's intoxicating film version of Graham Greene's novel, but Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore managed to stay dry, perfectly pressed and immaculately gorgeous.

The New York Times

The effect is that it seems to be raining money".

TechCrunch

It certainly seems to be raining shit on Patricia Dunn and pals.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A cannon shot thousands of scraps of metallic paper into the air, so that it seemed to be raining gold.

The New Yorker

3.31pm BST Just looking outside, it doesn't seem to be raining too hard and they don't expect this to be a long delay.

The Guardian - Sport

Aside from a gigantic bill in Long Island, it seemed to be raining good news on one topic close to all of our hearts for a moment.

The New York Times

The visual spectacle amounted to 2012: A Space Odyssey, as Dr. Emmart filled the planetarium's dome with a moving composite of photographs and illustrations, taking the viewer on an hourlong journey from somewhere in Earth's orbit near the International Space Station to the farthest reaches of the universe, where the skies seemed to be raining galaxies in glorious profusion, and back.

The New York Times - Arts

The sky seemed to be raining fire".

Vice

The sky seemed to be raining fire.'.

Vice

I know I'm wrong, but it always seemed to be raining.

Huffington Post

Death seemed to be raining down around me, and I never knew who or where it would strike next.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems to be raining" to describe a situation where the presence of rain is not fully confirmed but appears likely based on observation.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "seems to be raining" is better suited for general or informal conversation. In formal writing, consider using more precise or technical terms like "precipitation is occurring" or "rainfall is observed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems to be raining" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state or condition rather than an action. It describes the apparent state of the weather, suggesting a perceived likelihood of rain. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seems to be raining" is a grammatically sound and usable English expression for describing the apparent presence of rainfall, according to Ludwig AI. While commonly used in general contexts, it might be less appropriate for formal writing. Ludwig's analysis reveals it functions as a stative verb phrase, primarily serving to convey an observation about the weather. Related phrases like "appears to be raining" or "looks like it's raining" can provide alternative ways to express the same idea. Although accurate, it's crucial to avoid overuse in official communications to be more accurate and authoritative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be raining

Emphasizes the visual impression of rain, similar to "seems to be raining".

looks like it's raining

A more informal way of expressing the same idea, focusing on visual appearance.

it looks like rain

A shorter version focusing on the anticipation of rain.

rain appears imminent

More formal and emphasizes the impending nature of rain.

it seems to be pouring

Specifies a heavy rainfall intensity.

the heavens seem to be opening

A more figurative way of describing heavy rainfall.

rain is likely

A general statement about the probability of rain.

it is possibly raining

Expresses a lower degree of certainty about the rain.

it might be raining

Similar to 'it is possibly raining' showing uncertainty.

conditions suggest rain

Indicates that external factors point towards possible rainfall.

FAQs

What does "seems to be raining" mean?

The phrase "seems to be raining" indicates that, based on available evidence, it appears that it is currently raining, although this might not be definitively confirmed.

Is it correct to say "seems to be raining"?

Yes, "seems to be raining" is grammatically correct and commonly used in everyday language to describe the apparent presence of rain.

What are some alternatives to "seems to be raining"?

You can use alternatives like "appears to be raining", "looks like it's raining", or "it looks like rain" depending on the context.

How can I use "seems to be raining" in a sentence?

You can use "seems to be raining" in a sentence like: "Looking out the window, it "seems to be raining", so I'll take an umbrella."