a downpour started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a downpour started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the beginning of heavy rain, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As we were hiking, a downpour started, soaking us to the bone in seconds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But Middlesex were denied the chance to chase a very achievable target when a downpour started between innings.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The streetlights and the signs on Hollywood Boulevard shimmered a little as another downpour started pelting the windows with water.

Huffington Post

The game was played despite a downpour that started before dawn and ended about an hour after the scheduled start.

The New York Times - Sports

Cars stalled as rain-drenched drivers tried to push vehicles through streets that flooded within minutes of the downpour starting.

The Guardian

As Sherwood was pulled out of the water a downpour reportedly started, drenching the onlookers.

Wikipedia

Authorities declared a state of emergency in the Red Sea port city of Aqaba further south as downpours started in the afternoon.

The Guardian

When a heavy downpour suddenly started, many listeners held their ground.

The New York Times

Later, he offers her a ride when she gets caught wearing high heels in a downpour and they start meeting in the afternoon in a rented room.

The New York Times - Books

The heavy downpour that started minutes after the beginning of the service ended a few moments before the church doors opened.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A downpour before the start of the 12th forced a postponement until Saturday, with Game 2 of the best-of-three startshortlyafterhortly after.

The New York Times - Sports

Hopefully the ground can cope with this downpour which started at 16 30 GMT.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the sudden onset of heavy rain, use "a downpour started" to convey the abruptness and intensity of the rainfall.

Common error

Avoid using "a downpour started" to describe light or moderate rain. "Downpour" implies heavy, intense rainfall, so reserve this phrase for situations where the rain is truly torrential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a downpour started" functions as a narrative device to indicate the commencement of intense rainfall. It sets the scene and emphasizes the sudden onset of heavy precipitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a downpour started" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the beginning of heavy rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage across various contexts. While "a downpour" specifically refers to intense rain, it's important not to use it for lighter rain intensities. Semantically related alternatives include "heavy rain began" and "it started to pour". Its neutral register makes it suitable for news reporting, narrative writing, and general descriptive purposes. Understanding its specific meaning and appropriate usage will ensure clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Heavy rain began

Replaces "downpour" with "heavy rain" and uses the verb "began" instead of "started".

It started to pour

Simplifies the expression using the verb "pour" to describe the heavy rain.

Heavy rainfall commenced

Uses more formal vocabulary like "rainfall" and "commenced".

The rain intensified

Focuses on the increasing intensity of the rain, rather than the start of a downpour specifically.

A deluge began

Replaces "downpour" with "deluge", emphasizing the intensity of the rain.

Torrential rain began to fall

Adds emphasis by specifying "torrential" rain and using "began to fall".

The heavens opened

Figurative language to describe a sudden and heavy downpour.

Rain came down in sheets

Descriptive alternative focusing on the visual aspect of heavy rain.

The heavens unleashed a downpour

Uses figurative language to emphasize the sudden and forceful nature of the rain.

A heavy shower began

Uses "heavy shower" instead of "downpour", suggesting a shorter period of intense rain.

FAQs

What does "a downpour started" mean?

The phrase "a downpour started" means that a period of heavy, intense rain has begun.

What can I say instead of "a downpour started"?

You can use alternatives like "heavy rain began", "it started to pour", or "the rain intensified" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a downpour started"?

Yes, the phrase "a downpour started" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English.

How can I effectively use "a downpour started" in a sentence?

Use "a downpour started" to describe the beginning of heavy rain, often in a narrative or descriptive context, such as: "As we were hiking, "a downpour started", soaking us to the bone in seconds."