What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
raining
Example
It's raining outside, so don't forget your umbrella. [raining: present participle]
Example
Yesterday, it rained all day long. [rained: past tense]
pouring
Example
It's pouring cats and dogs outside, so be careful on the roads. [pouring: present participle]
Example
Last night, it poured so hard that the streets were flooded. [poured: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Raining is more commonly used than pouring in everyday language. Raining is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pouring is less common and usually reserved for describing heavy and intense rainfall.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between raining and pouring?
Both raining and pouring are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
