if rain is expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if rain is expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing plans or decisions that depend on the possibility of rain occurring. Example: "We will hold the picnic at the park if rain is expected; otherwise, we will move it indoors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The inspiration of Frodo's sword can be seen in something Rose invented a few years ago – an Accuweather – connected ambient umbrella with a handle glows if rain is expected in the next 12 hours.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If the rain is expected to be later or earlier than usual, growers can shift their planting times to suit.

The Economist

■ Unplug all electrical items and ensure they are stored upstairs if a storm or heavy rain is expected.

The Guardian - Money

More rain is expected Saturday, yet even if it takes a while to remove the court covers, the second week is setting up nicely.

The New York Times - Sports

On top of this, if the stems of the wheat are tall and rain is expected, an appropriate dose of growth-regulator is recommended for each zone.

The Economist

If he can keep the two sides talking till the end of May when rain is expected, he could buy a few months' peace.

The Economist

More rain is expected.

The New York Times - Sports

An inch of rain is expected Tuesday.

The New York Times

More rain is expected through Sunday.

The New York Times

To make it worse, rain is expected.

The Guardian - Sport

The rain is expected to continue for several more days".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if rain is expected", clearly state the action that will be taken in response to the expected rain. This provides context and makes your writing more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "if rain is expected" without specifying the consequences or actions to be taken. For example, instead of just saying "if rain is expected", specify "if rain is expected, the event will be moved indoors."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if rain is expected" functions as an adverbial clause of condition. It sets a condition (the expectation of rain) that influences the main clause of the sentence. Ludwig examples show it used to modify actions taken based on weather forecasts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if rain is expected" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a condition based on weather forecasts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase serves to express a contingency and prepare for potential rainfall scenarios. It is suitable for a neutral register and frequently appears in news, media, wiki and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it is best practice to clearly state the action that will be taken in response to the expected rain to avoid vague conditional statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if precipitation is anticipated

Replaces "rain" with a more formal synonym, "precipitation" and "expected" with "anticipated", increasing the formality.

if rain is in the forecast

Replaces "expected" with "in the forecast", focusing on the weather report.

when rain is anticipated

Similar to 'if precipitation is anticipated' but retains the term 'rain', focusing on anticipation over condition.

if showers are predicted

Substitutes "rain" with "showers", specifying a type of rainfall, and "expected" with "predicted", focusing on forecasting.

assuming rain is predicted

Highlights the assumption of rain based on a forecast.

when rainfall is forecast

Changes the conditional "if" to a temporal "when", indicating a point in time rather than a condition.

in case of anticipated rain

Emphasizes preparedness for the event of rain, rather than the expectation of it.

given the likelihood of rain

Highlights the probability of rain rather than a simple expectation.

should rain be on the horizon

Uses a more metaphorical expression "on the horizon" and a formal tone.

if it looks like rain

Emphasizes a visual assessment of the weather condition.

FAQs

How to use "if rain is expected" in a sentence?

You can use "if rain is expected" to introduce a condition that affects a plan or decision, such as "We will cancel the picnic "if rain is expected"."

What can I say instead of "if rain is expected"?

Alternatives include "if precipitation is anticipated", "when rainfall is forecast", or "in case of anticipated rain", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "if rain is expected" or "if it is expected to rain"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "if rain is expected" is more concise. "If it is expected to rain" may be preferred in some contexts for clarity or emphasis.

What's the difference between "if rain is expected" and "if rain is predicted"?

"If rain is expected" implies a general anticipation, while "if rain is predicted" suggests a forecast based on data. While similar, the latter carries a connotation of professional forecasting.