intermittent rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intermittent rain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe weather conditions where rain occurs at irregular intervals, rather than continuously. Example: "The forecast predicts intermittent rain throughout the day, so be sure to carry an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Well, which is it, a mist or an intermittent rain?

The New Yorker

Intermittent rain and humidity kept the sidewalks steamy and empty.

The New York Times - Sports

There was more intermittent rain in the evening.

The New York Times - Sports

Military units descended on the city, along with an intermittent rain.

The New Yorker

For most of the day, it was grip and grin, despite the intermittent rain and wind.

The New York Times - Sports

Forty-eight teams competed in intermittent rain in the best-ball tournament.

The New York Times - Sports

Grackles called in the intermittent rain as irritable drivers pounded their horns along Brooklyn's Fifth Avenue.

The New Yorker

Once the game started, the momentum, like the intermittent rain, ebbed and flowed.

The New York Times - Sports

Intermittent rain fell around the city, thickening the air, threatening to delay things.

The New York Times - Sports

There, they continued their protest through intermittent rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, under the shelter of portable canvas tents.

The New York Times

Despite the intermittent rain, cultural researcher Karen Macdonald and her husband John scrambled up a muddy slope 40km from Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan hoping to witness the event.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing outdoor events or activities, use "intermittent rain" to prepare your audience for weather that may change unpredictably, impacting their plans or experience.

Common error

Avoid using "intermittent rain" when you mean steady or continuous rain. "Intermittent" implies that the rain stops and starts, rather than falling consistently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intermittent rain" functions as a descriptive element, modifying a noun. It's used to specify a type of precipitation characterized by its non-continuous nature. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Sports

15%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intermittent rain" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that describes rainfall that starts and stops periodically. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and accuracy. Primarily found in News & Media and Sports contexts, this phrase effectively communicates a specific type of weather condition. When using this phrase, ensure you intend to convey the idea of rain that is not constant, and consider alternatives like "sporadic showers" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sporadic showers

Replaces "rain" with "showers" and "intermittent" with "sporadic", suggesting short, irregular bursts of rainfall.

occasional rainfall

Substitutes "intermittent" with "occasional" and "rain" with "rainfall", indicating infrequent instances of rain.

scattered rain

Uses "scattered" to describe the rain's distribution, implying that it's not widespread or constant.

on-and-off rain

Emphasizes the fluctuating nature of the rain, highlighting its presence and absence.

passing showers

Focuses on the transient nature of the rain, suggesting brief and temporary periods of rainfall.

irregular drizzle

Replaces "rain" with "drizzle", indicating a light rain, and "intermittent" with "irregular", highlighting the lack of a fixed pattern.

fitful rain

Suggests a restless or erratic pattern of rainfall, with periods of rain followed by breaks.

periodic showers

Uses "periodic" to indicate that the rain occurs at somewhat regular, but not constant, intervals.

broken rainfall

Implies that the rainfall is fragmented and not continuous, with gaps or interruptions.

variable rainfall

Highlights the fluctuating nature of the rain, emphasizing its inconsistency in intensity and duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "intermittent rain" to describe weather where it rains occasionally, with breaks in between. For example, "Despite the "intermittent rain", the baseball game continued".

What's the difference between "intermittent rain" and "constant rain"?

"Intermittent rain" means the rain starts and stops periodically, while "constant rain" indicates that it is raining continuously without pause.

What can I say instead of "intermittent rain"?

Alternatives include "sporadic showers", "occasional rainfall", or "on-and-off rain", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "intermittent rain showers" redundant?

While "showers" already imply a short period of rain, using "intermittent rain showers" isn't strictly incorrect. It emphasizes the irregular nature of the rain even further, but be mindful of potential redundancy.