a bout of rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bout of rain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time during which there is a lot of rain. For example, "We had a bout of rain last week, so my garden was flooded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The distant whistle of a steam train carries across from the restored length of the Lynton-Barnstaple railway, and rocky Heddon's Mouth is enveloped in sea mist as rolls of cloud bring in a bout of rain.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In June 2004, for example, tens of thousands of fish perished after a bout of heavy rain.

The Economist

Media captionThree properties in the Calder Valley have been flooded after a bout of heavy rain.

BBC

I had a bout of rage and jealousy this morning.

Huffington Post

The stadium is roughly 60percentt complete, and on a recent day 3,500 workers were busy despite a rare bout of rain in Southern California.

The Washington Post

Chambers took three wickets in the first six overs of Lancashire's pursuit of 201 in 40 overs and a second bout of rain ended the match soon afterwards.

BBC

A bout of persistent heavy rains and surging tides this year has made fishing in Kribi increasingly difficult and left fishermen like him struggling to make a living.

The Guardian

I await the next bout of rain and your next volley in this dialog.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, after yesterday's less-than-stellar weather to welcome you to the Institute, we are due for another bout of rain today.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Another bout of rain and probably some heftier wind early to mid-next week should mostly finish off this year's Tidal Basin bloom.

The Washington Post

In front of us, four walkers cross the boggy rushes and ling at the foot of the rocky summit, in advance of the next bout of rain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bout of rain" when you want to emphasize a short, often intense, period of rainfall within a larger context of otherwise fair weather.

Common error

Avoid using "a bout of rain" to describe prolonged rainy seasons; the phrase implies a shorter, more isolated incident. Use alternatives such as "prolonged rainfall" or "extended wet period" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bout of rain" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase refers to a short period of rain.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bout of rain" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to a short period of rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it's used to describe weather events. While versatile, it's important to consider the intensity and duration implied by the phrase; it's best used to describe short, distinct periods of rain rather than extended rainy seasons. Alternative phrases like "a spell of rain" or "a shower of rain" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a spell of rain

Focuses on the duration of the rainy period, implying a temporary occurrence.

a period of rainfall

Emphasizes a specific timeframe during which rain occurs.

a shower of rain

Implies a light and brief instance of rainfall.

a downpour

Highlights the heavy intensity of the rain.

a rainstorm

Refers to a storm characterized by heavy rainfall.

a burst of rain

Suggests a sudden and short-lived episode of rainfall.

a deluge

Denotes an overwhelming amount of rain.

a spate of rain

Indicates a series of rainy events occurring closely together.

a heavy rainfall event

Formally describes an instance of significant rain accumulation.

a patch of rain

Suggests a localized area experiencing rainfall.

FAQs

How can I use "a bout of rain" in a sentence?

You can use "a bout of rain" to describe a short period of rain, as in, "The picnic was interrupted by "a bout of rain", but we continued after it passed."

What's the difference between "a bout of rain" and "a spell of rain"?

"A bout of rain" often implies a sudden or intense burst, while "a spell of rain" suggests a more sustained period of rainfall.

Are there other phrases to describe a brief period of rain?

Yes, you can use phrases like "a shower of rain", "a burst of rain", or "a patch of rain", depending on the intensity and duration you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "bout" in other weather contexts besides rain?

While "bout" can be used to describe other events, it's most commonly used in conjunction with unpleasant occurrences like illnesses or bad weather. For example, you might hear "a bout of illness" or, less frequently, "a bout of sunshine."