bout of rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bout of rain" is not an accepted form of written English.
To use the phrase correctly, you could say "a bout of rain." For example, "We are expecting a bout of rain tonight."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I await the next bout of rain and your next volley in this dialog.

The New Yorker

In front of us, four walkers cross the boggy rushes and ling at the foot of the rocky summit, in advance of the next bout of rain.

The Guardian

The distant whistle of a steam train carries across from the restored length of the Lynton-Barnstaple railway, and rocky Heddon's Mouth is enveloped in sea mist as rolls of cloud bring in a bout of rain.

The Guardian

The barren mountain slopes looming above neighborhoods in the foothill cities of Glendora and Azusa east of Los Angeles were still holding after the first bout of rain, said police Lt Matt Williams.

The Guardian

Chambers took three wickets in the first six overs of Lancashire's pursuit of 201 in 40 overs and a second bout of rain ended the match soon afterwards.

BBC

Yet somehow, as cars and vegetable carts sloshed through puddles left by the previous night's surprise bout of rain, neither that or the fact that Egypt remains under military rule seemed to matter greatly.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Birds of a Feather: Reflecting the tone of the show, Essex is constantly overcast, with bouts of rain as dreary and interminable as the show's theme tune.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Further North we see bouts of rain starting to make their way in to Northern and Western parts of the UK, so most of the UK will start pretty fine first thing tomorrow.

Independent

"If we have a nice sunny year with only bouts of rain some species will bounce back, but some species got to such a low ebb on some sites we're not sure if it has tipped them over the edge of extinction.

The Guardian

The match was reduced to 16 overs per side following two bouts of rain in Hampshire's opening four overs.

BBC

Forecasters said there could be 20mm-40mm 0.8in-1.6in 0.8in-1.6inalling of saturaind ground on Thursday, with falling bontsaturated to come into the weekend.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bout of heavy rain" when specifically highlighting the intensity of the rainfall, but be mindful of the potentially informal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "bout of rain" in formal writing. While somewhat common, it can be perceived as colloquial. Instead, opt for more standard phrases like "period of rain" or "spell of rain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bout of rain" functions as a noun phrase, describing a short period or instance of rainfall. Ludwig AI indicates a slightly questionable grammatical status, suggesting it's less preferred in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "bout of rain" is used to describe a short instance of rainfall, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable, recommending alternatives like "spell of rain" or "burst of rain" for greater clarity and formality. The phrase appears mainly in news and general contexts. When writing, especially in professional settings, consider choosing more widely accepted phrases to ensure clear communication. Though examples do exist, prioritize grammatical precision for formal tone over colloquial language. While the phrase is understandable, other options are more conventional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spell of rain

Replaces "bout" with "spell", suggesting a continuous period rather than an isolated event.

burst of rain

Emphasizes the sudden and short nature of the rainfall.

shower of rain

Implies a light and brief rainfall.

period of rain

A more general term indicating rain occurred during a specified time.

outbreak of rain

Suggests a more intense and unexpected occurrence of rain.

patch of rain

Indicates localized rainfall, affecting a specific area.

bout of heavy rain

Highlights the intensity of the rainfall event.

short rain shower

Combines brevity and type of rainfall into one description.

moment of rain

Underlines how fleeting and brief the rainfall occurrence.

instance of rain

A more formal way of referring to a single occurrence of rainfall.

FAQs

Is "bout of rain" grammatically correct?

While used, "bout of rain" is considered grammatically questionable. It's safer to use alternatives like "spell of rain" or "burst of rain".

What does "bout of rain" mean?

The phrase "bout of rain" typically refers to a short period of rain, often sudden or unexpected. However, alternatives like "period of rain" provide similar meaning with better grammatical acceptance.

Which is better, "bout of rain" or "spell of rain"?

Spell of rain is generally preferred over "bout of rain" due to its broader acceptance and clearer grammatical structure. Both refer to a limited period of rain, but "spell" is less informal.

How can I use "bout of heavy rain" correctly in a sentence?

Use "a bout of heavy rain" to describe a short period of intense rainfall. For instance, "The game was delayed due to "a bout of heavy rain"." Keep in mind that more formal options exist.