though it was raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "though it was raining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or exception in a sentence, often indicating that something happened despite the rain. Example: "We decided to go for a hike, though it was raining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Upstairs she opened all the windows, even though it was raining, ran water for long minutes down the sink.

The New Yorker

Suddenly, no one was dancing tenuously anymore, and, though it was raining on the dance floor, everyone seemed comfortable dancing amid the chaos.

The New Yorker

When Saturday came, our late afternoon flight home loomed but the children were adamant they wanted one last trip to the Magic Kingdom for more rollercoasters, even though it was raining hard.

The Guardian - Travel

Though it was raining steadily when her pro-am round began today, she was greeted at the first tee by a huge throng, lined up four or five rows deep behind the ropes, many of them wearing "Go Annika" buttons, and occasionally shouting words of encouragement.

The New York Times - Sports

The truth is that even though it was raining, I could have grabbed a cab or hopped on the subway.

TechCrunch

That day, though it was raining, and the ballpark attendance was under 2,500, Holloman threw a no-hitter in his first major league start.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They've gone to Greektown, and Frank has taken them to Comerica Park for a Tigers game (though it was rained out).

Huffington Post

The priest will go to meet the woman, even though it is raining.

The New Yorker

Even though it's raining we had so much support out there.

The Guardian

The water starts to dance - as though it's raining, yet from below - and a translucent glow develops as more air is released by the rising whale.

The Guardian - Travel

"I have dreamed about a day like this, even though it is raining," she said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the main clause clearly indicates what happened despite the rain to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "though it was raining" if the main clause doesn't present a genuine contrast. For example, avoid saying "Though it was raining, the sky was gray" because the gray sky is consistent with rainy weather.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though it was raining" functions as a concessive clause, introducing a statement that contrasts with the main clause. This usage is supported by examples found in Ludwig, aligning with Ludwig AI analysis indicating its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "though it was raining" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to introduce a contrasting element to a situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to express concession, often setting the stage to reveal that something happened despite the adverse weather. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, its versatility allows for appropriate use across various registers. Alternatives like "even though it was raining" or "despite the rain" provide similar meaning with subtle differences in emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even though it was raining

Uses 'even' for added emphasis on the contrast.

although it was raining

A synonym for 'though', offering a slightly more formal tone.

despite the rain

Uses a prepositional phrase instead of a conjunction.

in spite of the rain

Similar to 'despite', but slightly more emphatic.

even with the rain

Highlights the presence of rain as a factor.

rain notwithstanding

A more formal and concise way to express the contrast.

the rain notwithstanding

Similar to 'rain notwithstanding', but with a slightly different word order.

while it was raining

Shifts the focus slightly to the concurrent nature of the rain.

though the rain was falling

Emphasizes the action of the rain falling.

with the rain falling

Describes the action of raining more explicitly.

FAQs

What's the difference between "though it was raining" and "even though it was raining"?

Both phrases express a contrast, but "even though it was raining" adds extra emphasis to the surprising nature of the situation despite the rain.

Can I use "although it was raining" instead of "though it was raining"?

Yes, "although it was raining" is a direct synonym and can be used interchangeably in most contexts. "Although" is often considered slightly more formal.

How can I rewrite "though it was raining" to be more concise?

You can use phrases like "despite the rain" or "in spite of the rain" for a shorter and more direct expression.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "though it was raining"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Starting a sentence with "though it was raining" creates a dependent clause that sets up a contrast to the main clause that follows. For example, "Though it was raining, we decided to go for a walk".