intense rain

USAGE SUMMARY

"intense rain" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which rain is falling heavily. For example: "The summer storm brought with it intense rain, and soon the streets were flooded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The precipitation in high aerosol regime is seen to occure in short spells of intense rain.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Yet observations show that intense rain showers can develop in the space of about 20 minutes.

The Guardian

In fact, the models appear to underestimate the increase in intense rain.

The Guardian

Usability of the rain retrieval algorithm for intense rain associated with a deep depression is also demonstrated by comparing the spatial distribution of intense rain with other satellite measurements.

Advances in Space Research

The eagle was found around 4 45 p.m. Saturday, following intense rain that came with an afternoon thunderstorm.

The Washington Post

Tyndall is located just east of Panama City, which endured punishing winds and took intense rain from the storm.

The Washington Post

Precipitation, stream, ponds, ground-water and soil moisture were sampled for determination of isotopic (D, 18O) and chemical (Cl, SO4) composition before and after two intense rain events.

Journal of Hydrology

However grass hedges action alone, under the experimental conditions, did not provide sufficient protection under steep slope and intense rain conditions.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

We show how peatland characteristics dampen the effect of intense rain, and how soil freeze-thaw processes regulate surface and groundwater partitioning during snowmelt.

Journal of Hydrology

ATLANTA — On a gritty downtown block, intense rain and the specter of lightning shooed the Georgia State football team off its practice field Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

Twenty-ones lives were lost when intense rain burst riverbanks, and 10 children also died in the aftermath, falling ill to infectious diarrhea.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of weather events, use "intense rain" to convey the severity and potential for damage. For example, "The region is prone to landslides after periods of "intense rain"".

Common error

Avoid phrases like "very intense rain" or "extremely intense rain". The word "intense" already implies a high degree of severity; adding further qualifiers can be redundant and weaken the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intense rain" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "intense" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "rain". This construction is used to describe the characteristic of the rain, emphasizing its severity. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

45%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intense rain" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe heavy rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequency in various contexts. Analysis reveals its neutral register and function as a noun phrase, effectively conveying information about severe weather conditions. Found primarily in news and scientific sources, "intense rain" serves to highlight the potential impacts of significant rainfall events. When using the phrase, avoid redundant qualifiers and focus on conveying the severity of the event with appropriate context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torrential rain

Emphasizes the pouring nature of the rain, implying a heavy downpour.

heavy rainfall

A general term for substantial rain, less emphatic than "intense rain".

severe downpour

Highlights the severity and suddenness of the rain.

extreme rainfall

Highlights the unusual and exceptional nature of the rain event.

driving rain

Suggests the rain is being propelled by strong winds.

copious rainfall

Focuses on the large quantity of rain.

pelting rain

Emphasizes the forceful impact of the rain.

heavy precipitation

A more formal and scientific term for heavy rain.

thunderous rain

Adds an element of sound and force, implying a storm.

stormy rain

Implies that the rain is part of a larger storm system.

FAQs

How can I use "intense rain" in a sentence?

You can use "intense rain" to describe the severity of a rainfall event, such as "The "intense rain" caused flash flooding in the city center" or "Farmers are worried about crop damage due to the "intense rain".

What are some alternatives to "intense rain"?

Alternatives include "heavy rainfall", "torrential rain", or "severe downpour". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect of the rain you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "intensely raining"?

While grammatically valid, "intensely raining" is less common and sounds less natural than "intense rain". It's usually better to rephrase using "intense rain" as an adjective modifying a noun, e.g., "The "intense rain" was falling". Alternatives are "raining heavily", or "pouring down".

What's the difference between "intense rain" and "heavy rain"?

"Intense rain" suggests a higher degree of severity and potential impact than "heavy rain". While both describe substantial rainfall, "intense rain" implies a more forceful and potentially damaging event.