great rainfall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great rainfall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant amount of rain that has fallen in a particular area over a specific period. Example: "The region experienced great rainfall last week, leading to flooding in several neighborhoods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We have very fertile soil, a very clean ocean, great sunshine, great rainfall.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Consequently, people started following their leaders toward areas with greater rainfall.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We need to build bridges and culverts that can withstand far greater rainfall than they were designed to handle.

The Guardian

The Johannesburg area and northern and eastern provinces have experienced some of their greatest rainfall in 20 years.

The Guardian

The climate is cool and damp, with greater rainfall in the interior uplands than along the coast.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most of those thirty-five million were still alive by the end of 1985 as a result of the drought being relieved by the greatest rainfall in seventeen years.

The New Yorker

The agency said the greatest rainfall of the day was some distance away in Tallahassee, where 440 roads were closed and flash flooding was widespread.

The New York Times

While some of the details may seem arcane – is greater rainfall in parts of the world that are already wet likely, very likely, highly likely or virtually certain?

The Guardian

Al-Ḥajar is generally bleak except on Jabal Al-Akhḍar, where greater rainfall permits the growth of some alfalfa, date palms, lime bushes, and fruit trees.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Ashburton drains fair pastoral country, having generally high temperatures and the greatest rainfall variability (ranging from 1 to 27 inches [25 to 686 mm]) in Australia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then, in the next three days, came enough additional rain to make this the winter of the greatest rainfall of the twentieth century, exceeded only by 1884 and 1890 in the records of Los Angeles County.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing rainfall, consider the specific aspect you want to emphasize: intensity, duration, or impact. Choose synonyms like "heavy", "substantial", or "significant" to convey the intended meaning more precisely than "great".

Common error

Avoid using "great" as a generic descriptor for rainfall. Instead, opt for more descriptive words such as "heavy", "intense", or "prolonged" to provide a clearer picture of the rain event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great rainfall" functions as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "rainfall". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes a significant amount of precipitation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "great rainfall" is grammatically sound but less common than alternatives like "heavy rainfall" or "substantial rainfall". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It functions as a noun phrase describing a significant amount of precipitation. While its register is generally neutral, more specific terms are often favored in scientific or technical contexts. Consider using more descriptive alternatives for improved clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy rainfall

Focuses on the intensity and volume of the rain.

substantial rainfall

Highlights the considerable amount of rain.

significant rainfall

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the rainfall.

abundant rainfall

Stresses the plentiful nature of the rain.

copious rainfall

Similar to abundant, but implies a large quantity.

torrential rainfall

Highlights the extreme force and intensity of the rain.

extreme rainfall

Emphasizes the unusual or severe nature of the rain event.

excessive rainfall

Implies the rainfall is beyond the normal or acceptable amount, potentially causing problems.

prolonged rainfall

Focuses on the duration of the rainfall event.

intense rainfall

Highlights the high rate at which the rain is falling.

FAQs

What's the difference between "great rainfall" and "heavy rainfall"?

"Great rainfall" is a general term indicating a considerable amount of rain. "Heavy rainfall" specifically describes the intensity and volume of the rain, suggesting a downpour or deluge.

What can I say instead of "great rainfall"?

You can use alternatives like "substantial rainfall", "significant rainfall", or "abundant rainfall" depending on the context.

Is "great rainfall" grammatically correct?

Yes, "great rainfall" is grammatically correct. However, more descriptive alternatives like "heavy rainfall" or "intense rainfall" are often preferred for clarity and precision.

How can I use "great rainfall" in a sentence?

You can use "great rainfall" to describe a period or location experiencing a large amount of rain. For example: "The region experienced "great rainfall" last week, leading to flooding."