It looks like+N./Ving

[Edison_Chen_e_c]

1.It looks like rain.(noun.)
2.It looks like raining.(gerund)
3.It looks like it's raining.

1.I'm thinking that 'rain' means 'raindrop', but the sky doesn't look like rain(drop). I would say 'The tear on her face just looks like rain.' rather than 'The sky looks like rain.'

2.I'm thinking that the whole sentence makes me consider that 'what the sky look like let me know it's raining/it's going to rain.'

3.I'm thinking it's wrong and it should be 'It seems (that) it's raining.'

Any suggestions will be helpful. Thanks.

[Mister Micawber]

.
1.It looks like rain.(noun.) -- meaning: it looks like it will rain soon.
2. (X) It looks like raining.(gerund) -- Not a good English sentence
3.It looks like it's raining. -- meaning: I think it is / it appears to be raining
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Edison_Chen_e_c]

[Lost_Soul]

How about: It looks like it's gonna rain cats and dogs

PS:
Hi, edison_chen_e_c,
when you state your opinion (point of view), you cannot use the continuous form of "think"
You had to have written "I think that 'rain' means 'raindrop'"

Mister Micawber, Do you think I'm right ?

[Mister Micawber]

.

[Edison_Chen_e_c]

What's more, as I know, be+Ving can be something to make your ask, suggestion, meaning more 'polite'.
<example>
I: I was wondering could I ask you for dinner?
Brad Pitt: Oh, I'm sorry but I'm not gay.

[Edison_Chen_e_c]

like can be a conjunction, I've got it.