a brief rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief rain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a short duration of rainfall, often in a weather report or narrative context. Example: "After a long, sunny day, we were surprised by a brief rain that cooled the air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

After a brief rain I am good to go.

Harvard University

Wickets after lunch … only a brief rain shower here.

The Guardian - Sport

A brief rain squall broke out as the sun struggled to poke through the clouds.

The New York Times - Travel

Meanwhile, a brief rain shower turned the plaza's tiles a deep red that remained well after the sun reappeared.

The New York Times - Travel

With the Swiss now firmly in the driving seat, Roddick was afforded some welcome respite by a brief rain delay.

The Guardian - Sport

Dawn broke with a brief rain shower (infrequent in Cairo), birds singing and the acrid smell of spent gunpowder in the air.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He had come to breakfast in a bright-orange slicker, looking somewhat disconsolate, with the announcement that only about ten per cent of the runoff from a brief, hard rain that had taken place during the night had gone into the cisterns; he had been out checking the gutters and rainspouts, and had found most of them badly clogged.

The New Yorker

The first four days of the United States Open unfolded without public protests from the players, without damage from a hurricane, with few upsets and only one brief rain delay.

The New York Times - Sports

Another brief rain delay meant England needed a reduced 171 from 48 overs and it was never in doubt, Cook mercilessly feasting on any width as the Sri Lanka attack toiled in vain.

BBC

This was not a favour for the MCC (the official scorer has his own box); it seemed purely out of love of the game.A brief rain delay failed to disrupt the batsman's rhythm as soon as the players returned Mr Di Venuto brought Durham's total up to 50 runs with a flick for four off Chris Woakes, a rookie bowler.

The Economist

When the dreaded nautical theme again became relevant with Sunday's brief rain, at least one golfer came sartorially prepared.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather conditions, use "a brief rain" to convey a short and light rainfall event. It effectively sets the scene without implying a significant disruption.

Common error

Avoid redundancy by using "a brief rain" when the context already implies a short duration. For instance, instead of saying "a very brief rain", simply use "a brief rain" for a more concise description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief rain" functions as a noun phrase that acts as the subject or object in a sentence, typically describing a weather event. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in English. It consists of an article, an adjective, and a noun, modifying "rain" to specify its duration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief rain" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, primarily functioning as a noun phrase to describe a short period of rainfall. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's well-regarded and suitable for diverse contexts. Its usage is most common in news and media, followed by academic and scientific writing. Alternatives such as "a short rain shower" or "a passing shower" can be used for variety. When using this phrase, avoid redundancy and ensure it aligns with the context to effectively convey the intended meaning. While "a brief rain" isn't particularly frequent, its clarity and correctness make it a valuable descriptive tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short rain shower

Replaces "rain" with the more specific "rain shower" and "brief" with "short".

a passing shower

Focuses on the temporary nature of the rain.

a quick rainfall

Substitutes "rain" with "rainfall" and "brief" with "quick".

a light sprinkle

Indicates a very light and short-lived rain event.

a fleeting rain

Emphasizes the short duration of the rain.

a momentary downpour

Highlights a sudden, heavy, but short-lived rain.

a sudden shower

Emphasizes the unexpected beginning and short duration of the rain.

a temporary rainfall

Highlights that the rainfall is not permanent or long-lasting.

a short burst of rain

Uses "burst" to imply a sudden and brief occurrence of rain.

a quick spell of rain

Highlights a short period of rainy weather.

FAQs

How can I use "a brief rain" in a sentence?

You can use "a brief rain" to describe a short period of rainfall, for example: "The picnic was interrupted by "a brief rain", but it soon cleared up."

What are some synonyms for "a brief rain"?

Alternatives include "a short shower", "a passing shower", or "a light sprinkle", depending on the intensity and duration of the rain.

Is it more accurate to say "a brief rain" or "a short rain"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "a brief rain" is generally preferred for describing a short duration of rainfall. "Short rain" is less common. Consider using "a quick rainfall" as another alternative.

What's the difference between "a brief rain" and "a heavy rain"?

"A brief rain" refers to the duration of the rainfall, indicating it was short-lived, whereas "a heavy rain" describes the intensity of the rainfall, meaning it was a downpour. You might have "a brief shower" or "a heavy downpour".