unless it is raining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unless it is raining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a condition that must be met for something to happen, specifically that the action will not take place if it is raining. Example: "We will go for a picnic unless it is raining."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Unless it's raining, I'll assume the spring day is lovely).

The New York Times

Jack Silbert DiCosmo's, Fourth Avenue and High Street, Elizabeth; all summer, seven days a week from about noon to 9 p.m. -- "unless it's raining".

The New York Times

10 p.m. 4) FRANCE'S ALLEY Unless it's raining, you'd be silly to sit indoors at the Boteco do França (Rua Borges dos Reis, 24A; 55-71-3334-2734); instead, find an empty table in the narrow alleyway between the bar and the evangelical church next door, affectionately known as the Beco do França (literally France's Alley, though França actually refers not to the country but to one of the owners).

The New York Times - Travel

Smaller lodges dot the lawn and trees, and fountains provide shade (a note on Indian weather: Unless it's raining, it's hot).

Forbes

Leave the cage outside to dry, unless it's raining or snowing, in which case take it in and dry it off as well as you can with a towel or blowdryer.

WikiHow

Outside it is raining.

The New Yorker

It is raining.

The New York Times

It is raining again.

The New Yorker

It is raining unexpectedly.

Lingua Sinica

(10) It is raining.

Lingua Sinica

fall__rain__GWAA It is raining.

Lingua Sinica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase to clearly state an exception based on weather conditions. For example, "We will have the picnic in the park, "unless it is raining"".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase when the rain is not the only factor affecting the outcome. If other conditions apply, specify them clearly alongside the possibility of rain. For example, don't say "I'll go running, "unless it is raining"" if you also won't go if it's too hot or cold.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unless it is raining" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a condition that, if met (i.e., it is raining), negates the outcome of the main clause. It establishes an exception to a planned or expected action.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unless it is raining" serves as a conditional phrase specifying that a certain action will occur, barring the condition of rain. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound, even though it lacks example sentences due to its low frequency. The phrase is versatile and suitable for various contexts. Alternatives like "if it's not raining" or "provided it doesn't rain" offer similar conditional meanings, with subtle differences in emphasis. When using the phrase, clarity is paramount; ensure the condition of rain is the primary determinant of the action's outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if it's not raining

Uses a straightforward 'if' condition to express the opposite scenario.

provided it doesn't rain

Emphasizes a condition that must be upheld for the original action to proceed.

assuming it stays dry

Focuses on the assumption of continued good weather.

contingent on the weather holding up

Highlights the dependency of the action on favorable weather conditions.

weather permitting

Offers a concise way to indicate that the weather is a determining factor.

barring any rain

Specifies that rain is the only condition that would prevent the action.

unless the weather turns

Considers any change in the weather as a potential obstacle.

if the skies remain clear

Highlights clear skies as a requirement for the action to occur.

only if the sun is shining

Emphasizes sunshine as a positive condition for the action.

on the condition that it's not raining

A more formal way of expressing that rain is the limiting factor.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "unless it is raining" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases such as "provided that it does not rain", "contingent upon the absence of rain", or "weather permitting".

What are some alternatives to "unless it is raining" for casual conversation?

In casual conversation, you can say "if it's not raining", "weather's gotta be good", or "as long as it's dry".

How does "unless it is raining" differ from "if it is not raining"?

"Unless it is raining" emphasizes the exception, making rain the primary reason for a change of plans. "If it is not raining" simply states a condition that allows something to happen, without necessarily making rain the central issue.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "unless it is raining"?

Yes, you can start a sentence with "unless it is raining", but ensure the main clause clearly follows the conditional statement. For example, "Unless it is raining, we'll go to the beach".