a small rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small rain" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a noun phrase that describes a light or gentle rain. Example: The farmer rejoiced as a small rain fell on his drought-stricken fields, bringing much-needed relief to his crops.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Easter again, and a small rain falls.

The New Yorker

A small "rain garden" is planned to mist lounging students.

The New York Times

Even putting a small rain garden in your design, though, can help to preserve runoff.

University of California, Berkeley

There, in a small rain forest preserve, scientists from Boston University and colleagues have cataloged more than 100 new frog species.

The New York Times - Science

Ragged, ever-shifting skeins of mist swirled through the steep-sided forested valley of the Upsalquitch River and a small rain fell as my companions and I arrived at Two Brooks camp in early afternoon.

The New York Times - Sports

It's like very big thunder, and the rain that comes out is a small rain". In contrast, for a half-dozen minors on the Golden Venture who were placed in foster care on Long Island, America soon became a safe harbor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Most of the Nile's flow begins in the Ethiopian highlands, a small rain-drenched part of the river's catchment.

Yale University

Here is Garnett The whole day had been hot; a storm was gathering, but only a small rain-cloud had sprinkled the dust of the road and the sappy leaves.

The New Yorker

It was a lovely, mysterious, and, as it turns out, essential object, having been used by the Canela Indians, a small rain-forest tribe isolated for centuries in the basin, for squeezing the cyanide out of shredded manioc before pounding it into flour.

The New Yorker

Laguna El Alto El Altoo Lagoon) is a small, rain-fed lagoon located at Chorrillos Beach that is often used for camping and picnics.

Wikipedia

Prostratin was first discovered during ethno botanical studies carried out on the island of Savai'i, Samoa, where native healers used the bark of Homalanthus nutans, a small rain-forest tree from the Euphorbiaceae family, called "mamala" to treat hepatitis infection [ 3, 4].

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small rain" when you want to emphasize the light and gentle nature of the rainfall, differentiating it from heavier downpours. This phrase is appropriate in both descriptive and narrative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a small rain" to describe severe weather events; it's reserved for light precipitation. Using it incorrectly can create a misleading or humorous effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small rain" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows its usage in descriptive contexts, often relating to weather or nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small rain" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe light, gentle rainfall. As noted by Ludwig, it appears in a variety of contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and academic sources. While not a very common phrase, it effectively conveys a specific type of precipitation. When using this phrase, consider its descriptive purpose and ensure it accurately reflects the intensity of the rain. Be mindful of the potential for confusion and use it appropriately to avoid misleading readers. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed considered grammatically correct and suitable for written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Light rain

Focuses on the intensity of the rain, implying a gentle fall.

Drizzle

Emphasizes the fine, misty quality of the rain.

A light shower

Highlights the brief duration and low intensity of the rain.

Gentle rain

Underscores the mild and non-torrential nature of the rainfall.

A sprinkle

Refers to an even lighter and more scattered rain than a drizzle.

Scattered showers

Highlights the localized and infrequent occurrences of light rain.

Patchy rain

Describes the uneven distribution of the rainfall across an area.

A passing shower

Emphasizes the temporary and transient nature of the rain.

Fine rain

Highlights the tiny droplet size of the rain.

A touch of rain

Downplays the significance of the rain, implying a minimal amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small rain" to describe light precipitation, such as: "The garden was refreshed by "a small rain" this morning".

What's the difference between "a small rain" and "a light shower"?

While similar, "a small rain" emphasizes the gentle nature and amount of rain, whereas "a light shower" focuses more on the brief duration and intensity of the rainfall.

What can I say instead of "a small rain"?

You can use alternatives like "light rain", "drizzle", or "gentle rain" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a small rain"?

No, it's not appropriate to use "a small rain" when describing heavy or prolonged rainfall. It's best suited for situations involving minimal precipitation.