lingering rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lingering rain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe rain that continues for an extended period, creating a sense of atmosphere or mood in a narrative. Example: "As I walked through the empty streets, the lingering rain added a melancholic touch to the evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Because of the lingering rain, children were ushered inside rather than lining up on the sidewalk: first and second graders to the cafeteria, third graders to the auditorium, fourth and fifth graders to the gym.

The New York Times

The passage of the cold front is marked by the influx of colder air, the formation of stratocumulus clouds with some lingering rain or snow showers, and then eventual clearing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But those lingering rain bands from the hurricane did provide welcome moisture to the Midwestern states that were previously the epicenter of the drought, soaking states like Missouri, Illinois and Indiana with two to six inches of rain, the Agriculture Department's United States Drought Monitor reported also on Thursday morning.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

United States Open officials have acknowledged the obvious, that they will not get full sessions in today because of a lingering, pesky rain.

The New York Times

Although lightning lingered, the rain let up and they played nine holes until 2 a.m. on the lighted course set amid a lush tropical rain forest.

The New York Times - Sports

Military officials said today that lingering snow and rain in Afghanistan had not halted heavy bombing attacks.

The New York Times

A lyrical tenderness animates lingering meditations on rain falling on trees and houses, and a brief observation of small dogs playfully wrestling in "Making of the Spaceship".

The New York Times - Arts

Follow the path marked by the little pink flags, through the pine trees with the last drops of rain lingering on their needles.

The New York Times

12.45pm GMT That is tea With that rain lingering the umpires have decided to take an early tea and leave us to the serious business of laughing at ground staff.

The Guardian - Sport

But heavy rain and lingering high winds forced them to put off their flights until at least Sunday morning.

The New York Times

The lingering monsoon brought evening rain, and we crawled into our tents for an early bedtime (after checking to see if any of Bhutan's famous tree leeches had hitched a ride).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lingering rain" to evoke a sense of atmosphere, especially in descriptive writing. It suggests a rain that is not just present, but also has a lasting quality or effect on the environment or mood.

Common error

Avoid using "lingering rain" interchangeably with terms like "heavy rain" or "torrential rain". "Lingering rain" describes duration, not intensity. If the rain is intense but short-lived, "lingering" would be inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lingering rain" primarily functions as a descriptive element, modifying the noun "rain" with the adjective "lingering". This combination highlights the duration and persistence of the rain, adding a specific quality to the description.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lingering rain" is a grammatically sound and descriptive phrase used to denote rain that persists over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English, particularly in contexts such as News & Media and Encyclopedias. While not very common, it effectively conveys the duration of rainfall and can be used to set a specific mood. Related phrases include "persistent rainfall" and "continuing rain". Use "lingering rain" to emphasize the lasting presence of rain, avoiding confusion with terms describing intensity. The phrase functions primarily as a descriptive element and has a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistent rainfall

Replaces "rain" with "rainfall" and "lingering" with "persistent", emphasizing continuous nature.

continuing rain

Uses "continuing" instead of "lingering", focusing on the ongoing aspect of the rain.

unrelenting rain

Substitutes "lingering" with "unrelenting", highlighting the non-stopping quality of the rain.

protracted rain

Replaces "lingering" with "protracted", indicating an extended duration of rain.

remaining rain

Focuses on the rain that is left or stays after the initial downpour.

enduring rain

Highlights the rain's ability to last or withstand time.

abiding rain

Implies rain that remains or continues for a significant period.

recurrent rain

Suggests rain that happens repeatedly or periodically.

intermittent drizzle

Changes "rain" to "drizzle" and implies that it is not constant, but instead comes and goes.

steady drizzle

Implies a continuous light rain or drizzle that persists over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "lingering rain" to describe a rain that continues for an extended period, creating a specific atmosphere. For example: "The "lingering rain" made the city streets glisten."

What can I say instead of "lingering rain"?

You can use alternatives such as "persistent rainfall", "continuing rain", or "unrelenting rain" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "lingering rain" and "heavy rain"?

"Lingering rain" refers to the duration of the rain, indicating that it continues for an extended period. "Heavy rain" describes the intensity or volume of the rain, regardless of how long it lasts. They are not interchangeable.

Is it correct to say "lingering rains"?

Yes, "lingering rains" is grammatically correct. The plural form emphasizes multiple instances or periods of rain that linger over time. For example: "The "lingering rains" caused flooding in several areas."