intermittent drizzle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intermittent drizzle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a weather condition where light rain occurs at irregular intervals. Example: "The forecast predicts intermittent drizzle throughout the day, so don't forget your umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Strong wind from the southeast, overcast skies and intermittent drizzle.

The New York Times

Intermittent drizzle soaked the grass covering the stage; one cloudburst stopped the performance for 15 minutes.

The New York Times

As the British Open began, there was barely a hint of breeze and only intermittent drizzle.

The New York Times - Sports

The final chapter of a compelling eventing competition was played out under grey skies and in intermittent drizzle.

The Guardian - Sport

Conducted in an intermittent drizzle, the stage was watched by immense crowds, with every slight rise packed with fans.

The New York Times - Sports

The 7,109-yard 7,109-yardional course played sofTucsonr a cloudy, breezy day with iNationalent drizzle, and there were other specoursear scores.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Then it began to mist, an intermittent, teasing drizzle that barely wet their tongues.

The New Yorker

Canopied this morning by a lowering silver-grey sky, with the intermittent threat of drizzle, the rumble and hiss of traffic never far away, it seems entirely representative of the England that the white, Conservative middle classes have carved out for themselves in 2010.

The Guardian - Books

The drizzle persisted through the week, with intermittent harder showers, and for three nights he obsessed about the rain, wondering whether it was good or bad.

The New Yorker

The rain that morning was the fine-sifted Northwest drizzle that grays this corner of the country for weeks on end; too heavy for the windshield wipers on intermittent and too light for slow, when the wipers skreak and whine on dry glass.

The New York Times - Magazine

FREEZING drizzle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intermittent drizzle" to describe light rain that starts and stops periodically. This phrase is suitable for weather reports, descriptive writing, or casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "intermittent drizzle" to describe heavy or continuous rain. This phrase specifically refers to light, sporadic rainfall.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intermittent drizzle" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "intermittent", meaning occurring at irregular intervals, with the noun "drizzle", referring to a light rain. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is used to describe a specific type of weather condition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intermittent drizzle" is a grammatically sound and descriptively accurate way to characterize light rain that occurs sporadically. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a specific weather condition, differentiating it from constant rain or heavy showers. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase is appropriate for neutral to slightly formal registers. When writing, remember that "intermittent drizzle" should only be used to describe light rain that starts and stops periodically. The phrase should not be used to describe continuous or heavy rain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on-and-off drizzle

A more informal and conversational way to describe the intermittent nature of the drizzle.

interrupted drizzle

Highlights the breaks and restarts in the drizzle pattern.

sporadic light rain

Replaces "drizzle" with a more general term for light rain, while "sporadic" emphasizes the irregular nature of the precipitation.

occasional fine rain

Similar to sporadic light rain but replaces “intermittent” with “occasional” while describing "drizzle" as "fine rain" to give an extra detail.

fitful drizzle

Uses "fitful" to describe the irregular and unpredictable nature of the drizzle.

light showers at intervals

Uses the term "showers" which suggests slightly heavier rain than drizzle, occurring at intervals.

spotty drizzle

Like “patchy”, this emphasizes the localized and uneven distribution of the drizzle.

patchy light rain

Emphasizes the localized nature of the rain, suggesting it's not widespread.

sprinkling now and then

A more descriptive and less technical way to refer to a light and intermittent drizzle.

slight drizzle from time to time

A longer alternative that emphasizes the mildness and irregularity of the drizzle.

FAQs

How can I use "intermittent drizzle" in a sentence?

You can use "intermittent drizzle" to describe light rain that comes and goes. For example, "The forecast predicts "intermittent drizzle" throughout the morning, so bring an umbrella."

What's a simple way to describe the same weather as "intermittent drizzle"?

You can use alternatives like "sporadic light rain" or "occasional fine rain" to describe a similar weather condition.

Is it correct to use "intermittent drizzle" to describe heavy rainfall?

No, ""intermittent drizzle"" specifically refers to light, sporadic rainfall, not heavy rain. For heavy rain, use terms like "downpour" or "heavy showers."

What is the difference between "intermittent drizzle" and "constant drizzle"?

"Intermittent drizzle" implies that the drizzle starts and stops, while "constant drizzle" suggests that the drizzle is continuous without breaks.