call for rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call for rain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing weather predictions or expressing a desire for rain to occur. Example: "The weather forecast seems to call for rain this weekend, so we should plan our outdoor activities accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The sky, still pale, was cloudy, and the forecast did indeed call for rain.

The New Yorker

The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington — a pioneering example of the genre — jettisons Western scholarship and tells its own story, leading one tribe to solemnly describe its earliest historical milestone: "Birds teach people to call for rain".

The New York Times - Arts

It's as if I said it was raining when it was actually sunny, and you declared my statement half true because (unreliable) weather forecasts call for rain later in the week.

The New York Times

Some tribes are asked to present 10 crucial moments in their history; the Tohono Oodham in Arizona choose, as their first, "Birds teach people to call for rain". Their last is in the year 2000, a "desert walk for health". The result is that a monotony sets in; every tribe is equal, and so is every idea.

The New York Times - Arts

One tribe, asked to name the 10 most important events in its history, included "birds teach people to call for rain," and a recent "desert walk for health". "Honesty, love, courage, truth, wisdom, humility and respect," are the values promoted by one tribe.

The New York Times - Arts

If they call for rain, use the app's remarkably accurate hourly forecasts to determine what time you might need to duck for cover.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But the weather forecast for Nov. 12, the date he had chosen, called for rain.

The New York Times

The only potential obstacle is a forecast for Thursday that calls for rain all day.

The New York Times - Sports

The forecast calls for rain eight of the next 10 days.

The Guardian - Sport

It was cold and raw, and the forecast called for rain.

The New York Times - Sports

Later this week, the forecast calls for rain, which only means one thing: More flowers.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about weather forecasts, use "call for rain" to indicate a professional prediction of rainfall.

Common error

Avoid using "call for rain" in contexts where you're expressing a personal desire for rain. Instead, reserve it for situations where weather forecasts are being discussed or reported.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call for rain" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to describe weather forecasting. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and correctly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "call for rain" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression, primarily used in news and media to describe weather forecasts. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, alternative phrases like "predict rain" or "forecast rain" may be more suitable depending on the context. Be mindful not to confuse its predictive usage with a literal request or prayer for rain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predict rain

Focuses on the act of foretelling rainfall, rather than requesting or expecting it.

forecast rain

Highlights the meteorological prediction of rainfall.

expect rain

Emphasizes the anticipation of rainfall, often based on prior knowledge or weather patterns.

anticipate rain

Similar to "expect rain", but suggests a proactive preparation for the coming rainfall.

foresee rain

Indicates a prediction of rain, often based on intuition or long-term observation.

request rain

Suggests a plea or invocation for rain, often in a ritualistic or desperate context.

invoke rain

Emphasizes a formal or ritualistic summoning of rainfall.

pray for rain

Expresses a religious or spiritual supplication for rainfall.

plead for rain

Implies a desperate and earnest request for rainfall.

cry out for rain

Highlights an urgent and emotional appeal for rainfall.

FAQs

How to use "call for rain" in a sentence?

You can use "call for rain" to describe a weather forecast, as in "The weather forecast seems to call for rain this weekend." It can also refer to a ritual or plea for rain, though this usage is less common.

What can I say instead of "call for rain"?

You can use alternatives like "predict rain", "forecast rain", or "expect rain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "call for rain" or "calling for rain"?

Both are correct, but "call for rain" is generally used in the present tense, while "calling for rain" is used in continuous tenses or when describing an ongoing forecast. For example, "The forecast calls for rain" versus "The forecast is calling for rain".

What's the difference between "call for rain" and "pray for rain"?

"Call for rain" typically refers to a weather forecast predicting rain. "Pray for rain" implies a religious or spiritual plea for rainfall, often during a drought.