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It started to rain. vs It started raining.

Both sentences are correct and express the same basic idea clearly.
Michele A. profile picture

Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: January 05, 2025 • 8239 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"It started to rain."

This phrase is used to describe the beginning of a rain shower. 'To rain' is an infinitive verb phrase that indicates the action of raining is starting.

Examples:

  • I was walking home when it started to rain.
  • The weather forecast said it would start to rain in the afternoon.
  • As soon as we left the house, it started to rain.
  • She opened her umbrella when it started to rain.
  • The clouds darkened and it started to rain heavily.
  • Sep 19, 2012 ... 2.- It started to rain. 1.- So, I was talking to Mike, when he suddenly started to cry. 2.- ...
  • Sep 5, 2021 ... Was scouting a tallbird fortress when it started to rain frogs. DST. r ...
  • Oct 6, 2024 ... Opinion |. Sunday Bulletin Board: When it started to rain, and the Sky Glider stopped . . . Share this:.
  • Nov 5, 2015 ... This is the 正解 answer. Worth noting that "It's starting to rain" and "It's started to rain" have equivalent translations in Japanese.
  • Moments before it started to rain..Thanks Bowman Gray Stadium Racing for having me out to booth announce on FloRacing even if it's cut short. Tune in...
  • May 13, 2019 ... You could say: When it started to rain, I was outdoors. or. When it started to rain, I was (caught) outside.
  • Moments before it started to rain..Thanks Bowman Gray Stadium Racing for having me out to booth announce on FloRacing even if it's cut short. Tune in...
  • Mar 17, 2019 ... It started to rain. it started raining. Which is correct? Thank you. · Both are correct! But in my opinion “it started raining” sounds a bit more ...
  • Pat Phillips. It Was Sunny, but Then It Started to Rain. 392 Broadway. May 16 - June 22, 2024. Pat Phillips. Press Release Exhibited Works Installation ...

Alternatives:

  • It began to rain.
  • It commenced raining.
  • It started drizzling.
  • It started pouring.
  • It started raining cats and dogs.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"It started raining."

This phrase is also used to describe the beginning of a rain shower. 'Raining' is a gerund form that functions as a noun, indicating the state of rain falling.

Examples:

  • We were having a picnic when it started raining.
  • The children ran inside when it started raining.
  • It started raining just as we were about to leave.
  • The farmers were relieved when it started raining.
  • The streets were empty when it started raining.
  • Sep 19, 2012 ... Is there any difference in meaning between these two sentences? Does this structure alter the meaning whatsoever? 1.- It started raining. 2.
  • Mar 17, 2019 ... depends on situation/tense ! but both are right! |Both are correct! But in my opinion “it started raining” sounds a bit more natural.
  • Jun 29, 2024 ... It started raining while i was on a walk. Classic Liminal. (Im not ... r ...
  • Aug 14, 2017 ... it started raining, in the middle of my training..! #tracksession #work #nike : @elisabethassers.
  • Oct 4, 2020 ... i dressed up for a date but it started raining, so i stayed in and drew some toasty gfs instead!. Fan Art. r/AnimalCrossing - i dressed ...
  • Jan 4, 2020 ... 33K likes, 300 comments - chesliekryst on January 4, 2020: "It started raining about 7 minutes after I took these pictures.
  • Jul 13, 2020 ... I think my kids will forever tell stories of boat life that start out “so there was this one time in June when it started raining and never ...
  • Jul 8, 2023 ... 21K likes, 327 comments - ashleypetta on July 8, 2023: "It started raining hard 30 minutes after we got there. No one checked the weather.
  • Mar 13, 2018 ... Noah looked like an idiot until it started raining. #keepbuilding #cawfeetawk. Natalia Vinasco and 643 others. 󰤥 644. 󰤦 7. 󰤧 209. Connie ...
  • Jan 7, 2023 ... To start doing a verb just add はじめる to the masu stem of the verb e.g. 雨が降り始めた (it started raining). This should work for any verb ...

Alternatives:

  • It began raining.
  • It commenced to rain.
  • It started to drizzle.
  • It started to pour.
  • It started to rain heavily.

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