expected to rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expected to rain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing weather forecasts or predictions about precipitation. Example: "According to the weather report, it is expected to rain later this afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Much of the debris was expected to rain back down, recaptured by the sun's gravity.

Science Magazine

The hailstorm of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) that is expected to rain down on Syria's bases and command-and-control centres - if President Barack Obama wins Congressional approval - would certainly hurt the jihadists' enemy, although perhaps not fatally.

BBC

Although it's not expected to rain, Cheryl Davis, parade coordinator, said the event will go on regardless.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Icy rain is expected to change to rain today, but the Weather Channel is forecasting another 1 to 3 inches of snow on Tuesday.

Huffington Post

It began to rain on Thursday afternoon and is expected to keep raining through Saturday.

The New York Times

The Environment Agency said river levels had fallen but were expected to respond to rain over the next few days.

BBC

If it's expected to be raining, snowing or blowing, think twice.

The Guardian - Travel

It is expected to start raining on the Somerset Levels at between 2am and 3am, with 10-20mm falling widely and as much as 30mm in some areas.

BBC

And it's expected to keep raining for another few days.

Vice

On Wednesday, another low-pressure system could bring rain that lasts into Friday morning, and next weekend another system is expected to bring rain and snow at higher elevations. .

Los Angeles Times

The storm was expected to bring rain and wind to southern Florida by early Tuesday, the hurricane center said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expected to rain" when providing a straightforward weather forecast or stating a predicted likelihood of rain. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "expecting rain" when you mean a forecast. "Expecting rain" implies someone or something is in a state of anticipation, while "expected to rain" is a weather prediction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expected to rain" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase expressing a prediction or forecast. It combines the passive participle "expected" with the infinitive "to rain", indicating a future event that is anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expected to rain" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase employed to communicate a weather forecast or prediction of rainfall. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and suitability for various contexts. Although categorized as 'Uncommon' in frequency, it is predominantly found in 'News & Media' and 'Science' contexts. Remember to differentiate it from similar phrases like "expecting rain", which conveys anticipation rather than prediction. For alternative phrasing, options like "predicted to rain" or "likely to rain" can provide slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predicted to rain

Replaces "expected" with "predicted", emphasizing a forecast or prediction.

forecast to rain

Substitutes "expected" with "forecast", directly referencing weather forecasting.

likely to rain

Replaces "expected" with "likely", indicating probability.

rain is anticipated

Uses passive voice; indicates that the coming rain is expected.

anticipated to rain

Uses "anticipated" instead of "expected", suggesting a degree of preparation.

set to rain

Informal alternative to "expected to rain", particularly common in British English.

imminent rain

Focuses on the nearness of the rain rather than the expectation of it.

rain is foreseen

Suggests that the arrival of rain is predicted or expected.

approaching rainfall

Shifts the focus to the rainfall itself, emphasizing its arrival.

rain is on the horizon

More idiomatic, suggesting rain is likely in the near future.

FAQs

What does "expected to rain" mean?

The phrase "expected to rain" means that, based on current forecasts or predictions, it is likely that rain will occur.

What can I say instead of "expected to rain"?

You can use alternatives like "predicted to rain", "forecast to rain", or "likely to rain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "expecting rain" or "expected to rain"?

"Expected to rain" is the correct phrase when referring to a weather forecast. "Expecting rain" implies anticipation, not prediction.

Is "expected to rain" formal or informal?

The phrase "expected to rain" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile choice for discussing weather forecasts.