expect rain

USAGE SUMMARY

"expect rain" is a grammatically correct phrase and it is commonly used in written English.
It means to anticipate or believe that rain will occur. Example: The weather forecast says to expect rain tomorrow, so make sure to bring an umbrella.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Expect rain.

The Guardian - Film

We do expect rain.

The New York Times

You can expect rain and thunderstorms, so bring an umbrella.

The New York Times

But expect rain, snow or a combination of the two tonight.

The New York Times

Expect rain, and a high of 18C (BBC Weather/Met Office).

The Guardian - Music

Expect rain throughout the day with temperatures reaching the upper 50s, a surprisingly appropriate forecast to commemorate the anniversary of Shakespeare's baptism.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Between June and August, we expect rains, but instead we have droughts.

The Guardian

"Everybody expects rain every day," he said.

The New York Times

Thanks to the Dylan blog Expecting Rain for the link.

The New Yorker

"You expecting rain?" one of his friends asked, noticing the umbrella.

The New Yorker

This time, though, Expecting Rain is at the center of a broader mystery.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expect rain" when you want to convey a general anticipation of rainfall, often based on weather forecasts or typical seasonal patterns. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "expect rain" when you have concrete, definitive evidence that rain is imminent. In such cases, a phrase like "rain is certain" or "rain is coming" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expect rain" primarily functions as a statement of anticipation or a forecast summary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and common expression for indicating the likelihood of rainfall. Examples show its use across various contexts, from news reports to personal advice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

26%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expect rain" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the anticipation of rainfall. According to Ludwig AI, it conveys a likelihood based on forecasts or observations. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, as per the Ludwig examples, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. While alternatives like "anticipate rain" or "predict rain" exist, "expect rain" remains a straightforward and widely understood expression for communicating the expectation of rainfall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipate rain

Replaces "expect" with "anticipate", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

forecast rain

Shifts the focus to the weather forecast as the source of the expectation.

predict rain

Uses "predict" instead of "expect", suggesting a more scientific or data-driven assessment.

look for rain

Implies a more active observation or preparation for rain.

foresee rain

Conveys a sense of seeing or anticipating rain in advance.

rain is likely

Changes the structure to a statement about the probability of rain.

rain is probable

Similar to "rain is likely" but uses a slightly more formal term.

prepare for rain

Focuses on the action of getting ready for rain rather than simply expecting it.

be ready for rain

Similar to "prepare for rain", emphasizing readiness.

rain is anticipated

Uses the passive voice to express that rain is being anticipated.

FAQs

What does "expect rain" mean?

"Expect rain" means to anticipate or believe that rain will occur, usually based on a forecast or observation.

Is it correct to say "expecting rain"?

Yes, "expecting rain" is grammatically correct and can be used, especially when describing a current state of anticipation, such as "We are "expecting rain" later today".

What can I say instead of "expect rain"?

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

How accurate is "expect rain" as a weather prediction?

The phrase "expect rain" itself isn't a prediction, but rather a statement of anticipation based on a weather forecast. The accuracy depends on the reliability of the forecast itself.