threatening to rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "threatening to rain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the weather appears to be about to rain, often indicating a sense of foreboding or anticipation of rain. Example: "The dark clouds gathered in the sky, threatening to rain at any moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

With the sky threatening to rain a few weeks ago, patrons trickled into Freddy's Bar for their pick-me-ups.

The New York Times

Now that the date has finally arrived … and a Nor'easter has settled over Gotham, threatening to rain on a season-long parade.

The Guardian - Sport

If you stand under the High Line itself, the unused 1.45-mile viaduct built almost 70 years ago by the New York Central through the far West Side of Manhattan, it looks like a hazard, threatening to rain concrete chunks, steel plates and pigeon droppings down on the street.

The New York Times

But this year, when it's always raining, about to rain, threatening to rain or just having stopped raining, he's the most important guy in town, with the almost full-time job of sprinkling 50-pound bags of Turface Allsport Pro, a clay-mix drying agent, onto soggy infields and pitcher's mounds.

The New York Times

Add in aggressive apocalyptic ideas that suggest time is running out and quick action mandatory and you have a perfect storm of mobilized resentment threatening to rain bigotry and violence across the United States.

Huffington Post

Who could forget the way he stoked the already glowing embers of the Korean crisis in August by threatening to rain "fire and fury like the world has never seen" ― an obvious nuclear reference ― on North Korea?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The damp woods smell earthy and musky, and it threatens to rain during our visit.

The New York Times

It threatened to rain throughout Saturday's qualifying session, on a cold, blustery, overcast afternoon.

The Guardian - Sport

And it came after a tempestuous few weeks, in which North Korea threatened to rain nuclear missiles on both South Korea and the United States.

The New York Times

It's about demonstrating that there are limits to what other governments can choose to do without repercussions, and maintaining our credibility when we threaten to rain those repercussions down.

The New York Times

And it does not go unnoticed on Arab television screens that Palestinian demonstrators have started waving Iraqi flags, just as they did when Mr Hussein threatened to rain scuds on Israel during the Gulf war.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "threatening to rain" to create a sense of foreboding or tension in your writing. It effectively sets the scene and foreshadows potential disruption or change.

Common error

Avoid using "threatening to rain" metaphorically unless the context clearly relates to an impending negative event that is as pervasive and unavoidable as rain. Overusing it can sound cliché or melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "threatening to rain" functions as a descriptive verb phrase, typically used to describe the state of the weather. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that rainfall is imminent or highly probable. It acts as a present participle, modifying an implied subject like "the sky" or "the weather."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "threatening to rain" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase to describe impending rainfall. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. It serves to inform or warn about possible rain, often setting a scene with a sense of anticipation. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, using it metaphorically requires caution to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Alternatives like "about to rain" or "looking like rain" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about to rain

Focuses on the imminence of rain.

on the verge of raining

Emphasizes the proximity to the start of rain.

looking like rain

Indicates the appearance suggests rain is likely.

rain is imminent

Highlights the certainty of approaching rain.

likely to rain

Expresses a probability of rainfall.

rain is on the way

Suggests the rain is moving towards the location.

a storm is brewing

Implies a more intense weather event is developing.

overcast and damp

Describes conditions often preceding rain.

the sky looks heavy

Focuses on the visual appearance of the sky before rain.

dark clouds gathering

Describes the visual cue indicating impending rain.

FAQs

How can I use "threatening to rain" in a sentence?

You can use "threatening to rain" to describe weather conditions. For example: "The sky was dark and grey, clearly threatening to rain."

What is a good alternative to "threatening to rain"?

Alternatives include "about to rain", "looking like rain", or "on the verge of raining", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "threatens to rain" instead of "threatening to rain"?

Yes, "threatens to rain" is also correct. Both phrases are grammatically sound and convey a similar meaning, although "threatening to rain" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the threat, while "threatens to rain" may suggest a more immediate possibility.

Can "threatening to rain" be used metaphorically?

While primarily used to describe weather, "threatening to rain" can be used metaphorically to suggest that something negative or disruptive is about to happen, but this should be done carefully to avoid sounding melodramatic. For instance, "The deal was threatening to rain disaster on the company's finances."