a thick rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thick rain" is not commonly used in written English, but it can be understood.
It can be used to describe a heavy or intense rainfall, often in a poetic or descriptive context. Example: "As we walked through the forest, a thick rain began to fall, drenching us within moments."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Within 20, a thick rain-forest canopy forms again.

The New York Times - Science

A freezing, thick rain pelted my face.

The Guardian

Between these two worlds lies a frontier: thick rain forest and empty savannas in one of the hemisphere's poorest and most sparsely populated countries.

The New York Times

A heavy, thick rain started to fall and cover them while they waited by the river not knowing where to go or what to do.

Huffington Post

The 20-minute ride upriver and the one-and-a-half-hour hike through thick rain forest and lighter savanna vegetation was a warm-up for the following day when we would ascend to the foot of Angel Falls.

The New York Times - Travel

The deforestation that has stripped the Amazon since the 1970s has also exposed a long-hidden secret lurking underneath thick rain forest: flawlessly designed geometric shapes spanning hundreds of yards in diameter.

The New York Times

In other instances, as survivors scrambled desperately through thick rain forest in a country as large as Western Europe, extermination teams laid ambush along strategic roadways and forest paths, making no distinction between men, women and children as they killed them.

The New York Times

The physical terrain (with Hawaii standing in for Nigeria) is a stunningly beautiful fantasia of dark high grass surrounded by thick rain forests; the human terrain is a sorrowful tangle of ethnic cleansing and atrocity.

The New Yorker

Observations of the 1806 Vesuvius eruption reported that "two places were deluged with a thick black rain, consisting of a species of mud filled with sulphureous particles".

The Guardian

An hour after the explosions, as lightning stroboscopically lit up the blackening skies, a thick, muddy rain fell on Batavia (now Jakarta).

The New York Times - Books

"You know, when I started this in '95, I thought I'll probably win the House back in one term; give me one term to win it back," Mr. Gephardt said in a subdued voice as his chartered jet bumped over thick rain clouds on one of his last campaign trips of the season.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thick rain", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired tone. The phrase can evoke a sense of intensity or oppressiveness, which might not be suitable for all situations.

Common error

Avoid using "a thick rain" in formal or technical writing where clarity and precision are paramount. Opt for more standard terms like "heavy rain" or "intense rainfall" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thick rain" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "thick" modifies the noun "rain". It describes a specific type of precipitation, conveying intensity or density. Ludwig AI suggests it’s less common, but understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thick rain" is a grammatically acceptable but infrequent phrase used to describe heavy, intense rainfall. Ludwig AI marks it as understandable but less common than alternatives like "heavy rain" or "dense rain". It's most often found in news and media, and science-related contexts. While appropriate for descriptive writing, it may be less suitable for formal or technical contexts where clarity is paramount. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended tone and sensory impact you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy rain

Replaces "thick" with "heavy", focusing on the intensity of the rain.

dense rain

Substitutes "thick" with "dense", highlighting the compact nature of the rainfall.

torrential rain

Emphasizes the forceful and abundant nature of the rain.

driving rain

Highlights the force and direction of the rain.

a downpour

Uses a noun to describe a sudden, heavy fall of rain.

pouring rain

Focuses on the act of rain falling heavily.

intense rainfall

Replaces the adjective with a noun emphasizing the degree of intensity

a solid rain

Uses "solid" to describe rain that feels almost like a continuous sheet

a coarse rain

Describes rain composed of large, heavy droplets.

a saturating rain

Focuses on rain's ability to thoroughly wet something

FAQs

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

You can use "a thick rain" to describe a heavy and intense downpour. For example, "A thick rain began to fall as we entered the forest".

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

You can use alternatives like "heavy rain", "dense rain", or "torrential rain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a thick rain" or "heavy rain"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "heavy rain" is more commonly used and generally preferred in most contexts. "A thick rain" is less frequent and can sound more poetic.

What connotations does "a thick rain" have?

"A thick rain" can connote intensity, density, and a sense of oppressiveness or being enveloped by the rain. It can create a stronger sensory image than "heavy rain".