started hailing

USAGE SUMMARY

"started hailing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when rain is beginning to fall in the form of ice or hail. For example, "They were about to leave when suddenly it started hailing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We were once on a Colorado trail called the Hellroaring Trail at about 12,000 feet, and it started hailing.

The New York Times - Style

On the other hand, there's little incentive for an inclusive Republican caucus to say anything that bold; so, it's equally reasonable that the organization's director realized the unintentional impact on their entertainment allies once critics started hailing the report as a progressive milestone.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They've already held a few celebrity parties here; the palm trees, beach volleyball and cocktails makes it feel like you're living it up in St Tropez – until it starts hailing again.

The Guardian - Travel

Presumably it will not take long for people to start hailing Sprinter Sacre as a two-mile steeplechaser without precedent, in keeping with the fatuous instinct that seems to demand indulgence with each new champion, both over jumps and on the Flat.

Independent

Then it surfaces with "Flute Gasp," offering a chance to catch your breath in the eye of the hurricane, only to start hailing 808 triplets, rapidfire kicks, and tomblike echoes on "Storm B," which takes a while to build but hits full stride about halfway through.

Vice

That migration process is now live, with Hailo app users being directed via a personalized link to download mytaxi — avoiding the need for them to register, login or add account details. "They are automatically logged in and their Hailo account details will be ready and waiting, meaning they can start hailing cabs straight away," the company notes today.

TechCrunch

Pets find loud bangs terrifying too: that infuriates animal-lovers.In this section The interest rate squeeze starts Hail on the chief Bang bang you're banned Tithing trouble Slowly, unsurely Ken's coming back Stamped out Ballot box The Howard effect ReprintsWhy the new trend?

The Economist

The one that broke in 2005 got off to a good start: hailing from Romania, a filmic backwater compared to Russia and Poland.

The Guardian - Film

Then it started to hail.

The New York Times - Travel

Then it started to hail again.

The New York Times - Travel

It also helps parents through neighborhood outreach efforts, with many Head Start teachers hailing from the ranks of parents whose children were once enrolled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started hailing" to describe the onset of a hailstorm or, metaphorically, the beginning of a barrage of something (criticism, questions, etc.). Ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's literal or figurative.

Common error

Avoid using "started hailing" in contexts where "started raining" or "started snowing" would be more appropriate. "Started hailing" implies specifically the onset of ice pellets, not general precipitation. If you mean general rain or snow, use those terms instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started hailing" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a verb in the past tense followed by a gerund. According to Ludwig, it describes the initiation of an action, in this case, the falling of hail.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started hailing" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable phrase employed to depict the onset of hail, as verified by Ludwig. Its common usage lies within news and media contexts. While metaphoric applications are possible, it's crucial to ensure contextual appropriateness, or eventually prefer less figurative options such as "began to pour". Common alternatives include "began to hail" or "hail began to fall". Avoid confusing it with general precipitation terms like "started raining" or "started snowing". Overall, "started hailing" effectively conveys the initiation of hail, serving as an important way to describe meteorological events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to hail

Replaces "started" with "began", a direct synonym, resulting in a minor variation in wording.

it began hailing

The addition of 'it' is a minor adjustment for clarity, rephrasing the sentence structure.

hail began to fall

Changes the sentence structure while maintaining the same core meaning related to the onset of hail.

the hail started

Simplified sentence structure focuses on the "hail" as the subject.

hail commenced

Uses a more formal term, "commenced", to indicate the beginning of the hailstorm.

hail was starting

Uses the continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing start of the hailing.

a hailstorm began

Specifically uses the term "hailstorm" to denote a storm that produces hail, with an emphasis on the weather event itself beginning.

the sky opened up with hail

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful onset of the hail, using a more figurative expression.

the heavens unleashed hail

Provides a more dramatic, almost biblical, way to describe the start of a hailstorm.

hail became present

A less common way to express it, focusing on the emergence of hail in the environment.

FAQs

How do I use "started hailing" in a sentence?

You can use "started hailing" to describe the moment when hail began to fall. For example: "We were hiking when it "started hailing" unexpectedly".

What's the difference between "started hailing" and "started raining"?

"Started hailing" refers specifically to the beginning of a hailstorm, where precipitation falls as ice pellets. "Started raining" indicates the beginning of rainfall in liquid form.

Is it correct to say "began hailing" instead of "started hailing"?

Yes, "began hailing" is a perfectly acceptable and semantically similar alternative to "started hailing". Both phrases describe the commencement of a hailstorm.

Can "started hailing" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "started hailing" can be used metaphorically to describe the sudden onset of a barrage of something, such as criticism or questions. However, ensure the context is clear and the figurative usage is appropriate. Otherwise prefer less figurative options such as "began to pour".