likely to rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to rain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the likelihood of rain occurring, for example: "There is a strong likelihood that it will rain this evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

No, instead it's likely to rain quite a bit.

The Guardian - Music

But if they could tell in advance when it was likely to rain, they could prepare for growth by switching on the necessary biochemical machinery.

Independent

Its changeability is also a useful social emollient for a naturally reticent people, who employ observations about whether it is likely to rain, and when, as a way to fill in the conversational gaps.

The New York Times

It might be best to pack both wellies and flip-flops for Glastonbury, because it's likely to rain every day of this year's festival, though will probably stay reasonably warm throughout the weekend, according to forecasters.

Independent

Said a spokesperson: "His predictions were terrible and based almost entirely on how much it was raining at the current time, rather than how much it was likely to rain over the next couple of days.

The Guardian - Music

Similarly, Hillary Clinton has policies that would be better for some American women and LGBT people, though Democrats and Republicans are equally likely to rain terror on people in other countries.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Because the added droplets are smaller, they are less likely to be rained out, which enhances cloud longevity.

Science Magazine

Even small questions, like how to spell a word, or whether it was likely to the rain the next day, required some effort to answer.

The Economist

3. Rainfall The slow forward movement of Isaac is also likely to produce rain in quantities comparable to Katrina.

The Guardian

That means the droplets which form on them are smaller too, and that means a cloud is less likely to produce rain or snow and more likely to reflect even more radiation.

The Economist

There is likely to be rain of various compositions in the upper atmospheres of the gas giants, as well as precipitation of liquid neon in the deep atmospheres.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about weather forecasts, use "likely to rain" to indicate a moderate probability of rainfall based on current data and models. This phrasing is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "likely to rain" when the probability is very low. Phrases like "a slight chance of rain" are more accurate for minimal probabilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to rain" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied subject (it). It describes the probability of precipitation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely to rain" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a moderate probability of rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous real-world examples. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, be mindful of the degree of certainty you wish to convey and consider alternatives like "expected to rain" or "chance of rain" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to rain

Emphasizes an anticipation or prediction based on available information.

predicted to rain

Highlights the role of forecasting or meteorological models in determining the probability of rainfall.

rain is probable

Uses a more formal and slightly less common grammatical structure.

rain is anticipated

Similar to “expected to rain” but with a slightly more formal tone.

a chance of rain

Indicates a possibility of rain, though not necessarily a high likelihood.

rain is on the cards

An idiomatic expression conveying that rain is a distinct possibility.

forecasters predict rain

Specifically mentions the role of weather forecasters.

showers are expected

Refers to a specific type of rainfall that is less continuous.

it might rain

Conveys a lower degree of certainty about the likelihood of rain.

rain is possible

Indicates that rain cannot be ruled out, though it is not highly probable.

FAQs

How can I use "likely to rain" in a sentence?

You can use "likely to rain" to describe a forecast, such as "The forecast indicates it's "likely to rain" this afternoon" or "Pack an umbrella; it's "likely to rain" later today".

What is a more formal alternative to "likely to rain"?

A more formal alternative is "rain is probable", which is grammatically correct and suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is there a difference between "likely to rain" and "might rain"?

"Likely to rain" suggests a higher probability than "might rain". "Might rain" indicates a possibility, whereas ""likely to rain"" implies a stronger expectation based on current conditions.

When should I use "chance of rain" instead of "likely to rain"?

Use "chance of rain" when the probability of rainfall is relatively low. For example, "There's only a 30% chance of rain today", indicating it's not "likely to rain" but still possible.