light rain

USAGE SUMMARY

"light rain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a type of precipitation that is neither too heavy or too light. For example, "The sky was overcast, and there was a light rain falling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Light rain?

The New York Times

A light rain fell.

The New York Times - Sports

Light rain begins.

The New York Times

A light rain fell in the seventh.

The New York Times

Heavy rain, light rain, more rain.

Independent

A light rain was falling.

The New Yorker

Chance of light rain or snow late.

The Washington Post

Shoves off, ticking in the light rain.

The Guardian - Books

A 40% chance of light rain.

The Guardian - Music

mike selvey (@selvecricket) Light rain at Lord's.

The Guardian - Sport

We clustered together under a light rain.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "light rain" to create a specific mood; it often suggests tranquility or a sense of peace, as opposed to the drama of a thunderstorm.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "light rain" in a single piece of writing. Vary your descriptions by incorporating related terms like "drizzle", "fine rain", or "gentle rain" to maintain reader engagement and provide a more nuanced picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "light rain" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "light rain" describes a specific weather condition. It can also function as an adjective modifying another noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "light rain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a type of precipitation with low intensity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly functions as a noun phrase in various contexts, including news reports, academic papers, and general descriptive writing. While the phrase is versatile and widely accepted, it's important to avoid overuse and consider related terms to enhance the richness and nuance of your writing. Remember to use "light rain" accurately to convey the intended weather condition effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drizzle

Describes a very light rain, often with small droplets.

fine rain

Implies a rain composed of very small droplets.

gentle rain

Emphasizes the mild and non-intrusive nature of the rainfall.

scattered showers

Suggests intermittent periods of light rain across an area.

spotty rain

Indicates rain that is not widespread or consistent.

light shower

A brief period of light rainfall.

passing showers

Showers that are brief and quickly move through an area.

soft rain

Highlights the delicate and gentle quality of the rain.

misty rain

Implies a rain that is almost like a mist, with very small droplets and low visibility.

thin rain

Rain that is sparse and not dense.

FAQs

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

You can use "light rain" to describe a weather condition, for example: "A "light rain" was falling as we left the house", or "The forecast predicts "light rain" for the afternoon".

What are some alternatives to saying "light rain"?

Instead of "light rain", you could use phrases like "drizzle", "gentle rain", or "fine rain", depending on the specific characteristics you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "a light rain" or simply "light rain"?

Both are correct and commonly used. "A light rain" is often used when referring to a specific instance of light rain, while "light rain" can be used more generally to describe the weather condition.

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

"Light rain" refers to a rainfall that is not very intense, while "heavy rain" describes a rainfall with high intensity, often causing significant water accumulation and potential flooding.