massive rainfall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "massive rainfall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant amount of rain that falls over a specific period, often leading to flooding or other weather-related issues. Example: "The region experienced massive rainfall last night, causing several rivers to overflow their banks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It is likely that massive rainfall has driven these serious outbreaks.

Nature

Massive rainfall in Pennsylvania from Tropical Storm Lee in Sept. 2011 caused sediment to rush over the Conowingo Dam and into the bay.

The Washington Post

Federal officials warned that the millions in Florence's sights could be without electricity for weeks, if high winds down power lines and massive rainfall floods equipment.

The Washington Post

The massive rainfall has restricted ship traffic in ports all across the Texas Gulf Coast from Corpus Christi to the Sabine Pass, with further restrictions likely in Louisiana as the storm crawls to the east.

The Washington Post

"Massive rainfall in Canada on Sunday and Monday, combined with very heavy rainfall and snow melt over North Dakota over the past month, are responsible for the record flood.

The Washington Post

But this massive rainfall has an upside, according to a new study.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The Great Drought (1276 99) probably caused massive crop failure; rainfall continued to be sparse and unpredictable until approximately 1450.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Large El Niño events with massive amounts of rainfall, Patzert added, only happen once every 50 years.

Los Angeles Times

VICTORIA, Texas ― After Hurricane Harvey was downgraded to a tropical storm on Saturday, meteorologists issued warnings about the potential for "catastrophic and life-threatening flooding," as many areas between San Antonio and Houston are expected to get massive amounts of rainfall.

HuffPost

Yes, Britain has been hit by massive storms and record rainfall.

The Guardian - Opinion

The storm comes three weeks after intense rainfall prompted massive flooding in Texas and Oklahoma, killing at least two dozen people and causing damage to thousands of homes and cars.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "massive rainfall", consider the context and whether a more precise term like "torrential rain" or "extreme precipitation" might be more appropriate to convey the specific characteristics of the rainfall event.

Common error

Avoid using "massive rainfall" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "heavy rain" or "a lot of rain" are often more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "massive rainfall" functions as a noun phrase, where "massive" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "rainfall". It describes the quantity or intensity of rain. Ludwig indicates that it is correctly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "massive rainfall" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a substantial amount of rain, frequently associated with disruptive weather events. Ludwig confirms its correctness and utility. While suitable for news, science, and formal business contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal settings. Related phrases include "torrential rain" and "extreme precipitation", each carrying slight nuances in meaning. Remember that "massive rainfall" is preferred over "massive rain" for grammatical accuracy. While not as common as "heavy rain", it effectively conveys the scale of significant rainfall events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torrential rain

Focuses on the intensity and volume of the rain.

heavy downpour

Emphasizes the sudden and intense nature of the rainfall.

extreme precipitation

A more formal and scientific way to describe unusually high rainfall.

intense rainfall

Highlights the high rate at which the rain is falling.

abundant rainfall

Focuses on the plentiful nature of the rainfall.

excessive rainfall

Emphasizes that the amount of rain is beyond normal or acceptable levels.

severe deluge

Implies a widespread and overwhelming amount of rain, often leading to flooding.

catastrophic rainfall

Highlights the destructive impact of extremely heavy rainfall.

unprecedented rainfall

Indicates that the amount of rain is record-breaking or unusual.

significant rainfall

A more general term indicating a notable amount of rain.

FAQs

What does "massive rainfall" mean?

"Massive rainfall" refers to a very large amount of rain that falls in a short period, often leading to flooding and other weather-related problems.

What can I say instead of "massive rainfall"?

You can use alternatives like "torrential rain", "heavy downpour", or "extreme precipitation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "massive rain" instead of "massive rainfall"?

While "massive rain" is understandable, "massive rainfall" is the more common and grammatically standard phrase. "Rainfall" functions as a noun describing the event, while "rain" is often used as a noun referring to the water itself.

What are the effects of "massive rainfall"?

"Massive rainfall" can cause significant flooding, damage to infrastructure, landslides, and can lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases. It can also impact agriculture and ecosystems.