little rain

USAGE SUMMARY

"little rain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a small amount of rain. For example, "The forecast calls for a little rain today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Earlier a little rain.

The New Yorker

There was little rain.

The New York Times

Afternoon thunderstorms brought lightning but little rain.

The New York Times

Nothing happened beyond a little rain.

The New Yorker

Maybe a little rain, lighter winds.

The New York Times - Sports

Little rain has fallen since then.

The Guardian

I think there's a little rain forecast, so...."....

The New York Times - Sports

The region's climate is warm with little rain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is a very dry area with little rain.

The New Yorker

A little rain fell, but it hardly mattered.

The New York Times - Sports

Earlier a little rain No other word will do.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little rain" to describe situations where the amount of rainfall is minimal and perhaps insufficient for desired purposes, such as agriculture or replenishing water supplies. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "little rain" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal scientific or business reports. Opt for more precise terms like "minimal precipitation" or quantifiable measurements of rainfall for enhanced clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little rain" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, where the adjective "little" modifies the noun "rain". Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable phrase. It's used to specify the quantity or amount of rainfall.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little rain" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a small amount of rainfall. As Ludwig confirms, it’s perfectly acceptable for use in various contexts, though more formal settings might benefit from more precise terminology like "minimal precipitation". Ludwig's analysis of usage patterns shows its prevalence in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, reflecting its broad applicability. When communicating about weather, environmental conditions, or agricultural concerns, "little rain" effectively conveys the scarcity or inadequacy of rainfall, making it a valuable phrase in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

light rainfall

Focuses on the intensity of the rain, emphasizing its mildness.

slight drizzle

Highlights the form of precipitation as a fine mist.

minimal precipitation

Uses a more formal term for rainfall, indicating a small quantity.

scant rainfall

Emphasizes the inadequacy or lack of sufficient rain.

meager rainfall

Suggests a very small and insufficient amount of rain.

sparse rain

Highlights the infrequency and limited distribution of the rain.

a sprinkle

Refers to a very light and brief rain.

a touch of rain

Emphasizes how minimal the quantity of rain is.

a shower

Indicates a short period of rain

limited rain

Highlights the restricted amount of rain.

FAQs

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

You can use "little rain" to describe a small amount of rainfall, as in "The forecast predicts "little rain" this week, so we need to conserve water."

What are some alternatives to saying "little rain"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "light rainfall", "minimal precipitation", or "a sprinkle".

Is it grammatically correct to say "little rain"?

Yes, "little rain" is grammatically correct. "Little" is an adjective modifying the noun "rain", indicating a small quantity.

When should I use "little rain" versus "minimal rain"?

"Little rain" is more informal and suitable for general conversation or less formal writing. "Minimal rain" or "minimal precipitation" is more formal and appropriate for scientific or technical contexts.