a spell of rain

USAGE SUMMARY

'a spell of rain' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun phrase meaning a period of rain. Example: After the long, dry summer, we finally got a spell of rain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The match got under way around six hours later than expected because of a lightning storm followed by a spell of rain at Flushing Meadows.

The New York Times

This afternoon will be mainly cloud with a spell of rain for a time.

BBC

The mild conditions will continue into Thursday but on Friday a cold front will bring a spell of rain followed by brighter weather and showers.

BBC

The "Macbeth" production was like a spell of rain after a drought.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Nice Witch locked up her magic silver exercise shoes Archie and Lefty, and then cast a spell of lazy rain over the Land of Oz, so that no one would ever want to play or exercise again.

The New York Times

Tomorrow an active cold front will bring a spell of heavy rain followed by brighter weather, a few showers plus a drop in temperature.

BBC

Drainage density controls the speed of runoff following a spell of heavy rains.

Applied Water Science

Showers are possible at times, which may merge into a longer spell of rain in a few places.

BBC

But after a long spell of rain and floods a few cats showed up.

The New Yorker

After a lengthy spell of rain, morning sunshine makes a welcome change, and the temperature along this south-facing incline is climbing steadily.

The Guardian

During my first week here, my visions of the city were somewhat dulled by a long spell of rain.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of weather, use "a spell of rain" to convey a temporary interruption or change in conditions. For example, "The garden flourished after a spell of rain."

Common error

Avoid using "a spell of rain" when referring to continuous or extremely heavy rainfall. Consider terms like "torrential rain" or "prolonged downpour" for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a spell of rain" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject, object, or prepositional complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a short duration of rainfall.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a spell of rain" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a short period of rainfall. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is correct for use in written English. Its frequency is relatively rare, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. When choosing to employ this phrase, writers should consider that it implies a temporary and often light interruption of rain. For heavier or prolonged rainfall, alternative terms like "downpour" or "period of heavy rain" might be more appropriate. This analysis allows for a nuanced comprehension of "a spell of rain" and its effective application in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a period of rainfall

Replaces "spell" with "period", emphasizing the duration of the rainfall event.

a bout of rain

Substitutes "spell" with "bout", suggesting a short, intense period of rain.

a rain shower

Condenses the phrase to "rain shower", a common term for a brief period of rain.

a shower of rain

Replaces "spell" with "shower", implying a lighter and shorter rainfall.

a rainy interval

Uses "rainy interval" to describe a break in the weather characterized by rain.

a patch of rain

Employs "patch" instead of "spell", indicating a localized area of rain.

a rainy stretch

Replace "spell" with "stretch", suggesting a continuous period of rainy weather.

a downpour

Uses "downpour" to describe a sudden and heavy fall of rain.

a deluge

Replaces the phrase with "deluge", implying a heavy and overwhelming amount of rain.

a rainy season

Replaces "spell" with "season", indicating a longer period with frequent rain.

FAQs

What does "a spell of rain" mean?

The phrase "a spell of rain" refers to a short period during which it rains. It suggests a temporary change in the weather, where rainfall occurs for a limited time.

What are some synonyms for "a spell of rain"?

Alternatives to "a spell of rain" include "a period of rainfall", "a bout of rain", or "a rain shower". The choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

You might say, "The outdoor event was delayed due to a spell of rain", or "The flowers perked up after a spell of rain".

Is it correct to say "a spell of rains" instead of "a spell of rain"?

While "rain" can sometimes be used as a plural noun, in the context of "a spell of", it is more common and grammatically sound to use the singular form: "a spell of rain".