being rained on

USAGE SUMMARY

"being rained on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone or something is being affected by the rain, for example: "The hikers continued on their journey despite being rained on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Octophobia – Fear of the figure 8. Ombrophobia- Fear of rain or of being rained on.

The New Yorker

"They believe malaria is caused by being rained on or chewing sugar cane," she says.

The Guardian

Rain, being rained on, and finding shelter will become central subjects and structuring principles of British writing.

The Guardian - Books

I really can't imagine traipsing around this place, up to the eyeballs in mud and being rained on.

The Guardian - Music

We are constantly being rained on by bio-detritus from around the world — from dandruff and algae to pollen and fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Yale University

We are constantly being rained on by bio-detritus from around the world, from dandruff and algae to pollen and fungi.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Stephen Mallinder was hospitalised after one gig in which objects were rained on them.

The Guardian - Music

"It's meant to be rained on".

The New York Times

They had been rained on and were useless, but she didn't know this.

The New Yorker

We feel like our parade was rained on a little bit the last time.

The New York Times - Sports

(If crowds had gathered they would have been rained on anyway: a passing typhoon drenched Tokyo).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using "being rained on". It's suitable for news reports and casual storytelling. For formal contexts such as academic papers, "experiencing rainfall" or "subjected to precipitation" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "being rained on" when you need an active construction. For instance, instead of "The parade was being rained on by the storm", consider "The storm rained on the parade" to convey direct action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being rained on" functions as a participial phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is both correct and usable. It typically describes a state of experiencing rainfall.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being rained on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used participial phrase that describes the experience of someone or something being exposed to rain. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a usable construction in English. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts, its register is generally neutral. While widely accepted, formal or scientific writing might benefit from alternatives. When writing, remember it focuses on the direct experience and state of the subject affected by rainfall and avoid using it in active voice constructions. Understanding its function and purpose helps effectively communicate scenarios involving rain exposure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out in the rain

Simply indicates a location within a rainy environment.

getting caught in the rain

Focuses on the accidental and unplanned nature of experiencing rain.

under a rain shower

Specifically refers to a light or brief period of rain.

soaked by the rain

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the wetting experience.

drenched in a downpour

Highlights the intensity and force of the rainfall.

subject to rainfall

A passive way of saying that rain is affecting something.

experiencing rainfall

Offers a more formal and general way to describe exposure to rain.

in the midst of a storm

Implies a more severe weather condition including heavy rain.

standing in the rain

Focuses on the action of remaining stationary while exposed to rain.

exposed to the elements

Broadens the scope to include other weather conditions beyond rain.

FAQs

How can I use "being rained on" in a sentence?

You can use "being rained on" to describe the experience of someone or something directly affected by rain. For instance, "The picnic was ruined by "being rained on"" or "Despite "being rained on", the team continued their practice".

What are some alternatives to "being rained on"?

Alternatives include "getting caught in the rain", "soaked by the rain", or "experiencing rainfall", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "being rained on" formal or informal?

"Being rained on" is generally considered neutral and suitable for most contexts. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "subject to rainfall" or "experiencing rainfall".

What's the difference between "being rained on" and "it's raining"?

"Being rained on" describes the state of someone or something directly experiencing rain, while "it's raining" simply states the general weather condition. For instance, "We were "being rained on"" indicates personal exposure, whereas "it is raining" reports the weather.