burst of rain

USAGE SUMMARY

"burst of rain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a sudden, heavy rain. Example sentence: The streets were suddenly flooded by a burst of rain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A dozen miles or so from the very top of Scotland there's a sudden burst of rain.

The Times

The two traded breaks early in the fourth set before a quick burst of rain interrupted the match for a few minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

The Americans hoped that another well-timed burst of rain during the gold-medal game would have an equally cleansing effect.

The New York Times - Sports

This demonstration was not as heavily promoted, and a burst of rain in the morning may have kept the numbers down.

The New York Times

A fast-moving cloud unleashed a short burst of rain, and Thai production assistants collected beneath the gnarled boughs of an old pomelo tree.

The New Yorker

Right to the very end he was kept under huge pressure to protect a lead of two minutes from Minassian's charging Peugeot but Kristensen did not put a wheel wrong despite a late burst of rain that soaked the circuit.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The wind freshened, blowing away the mist but bringing instead sharp bursts of rain.

The Guardian - Travel

Short bursts of rain, loss of trees and climate change, have carved the gulley through arable land.

The Guardian

4/10: Approaching Michael brings bursts of rain but breaks the cycle of heat for which few complain.

The Washington Post

And while these crises often occur simultaneously in different regions, they also happen in the same places as short, fierce bursts of rain punctuate long dry spells.

Columbia University

In recent years, longer dry spells have been punctuated by brief, concentrated bursts of rain that can wash away soil and run off without soaking into the ground.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "burst of rain" to vividly describe a sudden, short-lived episode of rainfall, particularly when emphasizing its unexpected nature or impact on an event or scene.

Common error

Avoid using "burst of rain" to describe prolonged or continuous rainfall. The phrase implies a short, intense period, not a steady, long-lasting condition. Use "steady rain" or "prolonged rainfall" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burst of rain" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, illustrating its role in describing a specific weather event. Examples show it often causes an interruption.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "burst of rain" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a sudden, intense, and short-lived episode of rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase serves to vividly depict specific weather conditions and their impact. Related phrases include "sudden downpour" and "brief shower", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects a short, intense event, rather than prolonged rainfall. The phrase is widely accepted and understood, making it a reliable choice for descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sudden downpour

Focuses on the sudden and intense nature of the rain.

sudden shower

Highlights the unexpected nature of the rain.

brief shower

Highlights the short duration of the rainfall.

heavy shower

Stresses the intensity of the rain.

fleeting rain

Focuses on the transient nature of the rain.

short deluge

Emphasizes both the briefness and the overwhelming nature of the rain.

quick rainfall

Highlights the fast and short-lived character of the rain.

scattered rainfall

Emphasizes the localized and intermittent nature of the rain.

torrential outburst

Conveys the idea of a forceful and sudden rain event.

isolated rain event

Highlights the singularity and limited scope of the rainfall.

FAQs

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

You can use "burst of rain" to describe a sudden, short period of heavy rainfall, such as: "A "burst of rain" interrupted the tennis match", or "The picnic was disrupted by a sudden "burst of rain"".

What's a good alternative to "burst of rain"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, alternatives to "burst of rain" could include "sudden downpour", "brief shower", or "heavy shower".

Is it correct to say "burst of rains"?

While "burst" can be used with plural nouns, "burst of rain" is more common and generally preferred. "Rains" tends to refer to a longer period or season of rainfall, rather than a single, sudden event.

What is the difference between "burst of rain" and "shower"?

A ""burst of rain"" implies a sudden and intense episode of rainfall, while "shower" can refer to a more general and potentially longer period of light or moderate rain.