poured down

USAGE SUMMARY

"poured down" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it to describe a large quantity of a substance being released, typically rain or water. For example, "The skies opened and cold rain poured down as we walked along the beach".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The moon poured down.

The New York Times - Travel

The rain poured down.

The New Yorker

It absolutely poured down".

Independent

"The water poured down from the ceiling".

The New York Times

Boiling lava poured down the mountainside.

Independent

Tears poured down my face.

The New York Times

Blood poured down my face.

The New York Times

Sweat poured down my forehead.

The New Yorker

It poured down his throat like tea, filled his heart.

The New Yorker

I lay there drenched as the rain poured down.

The New York Times

Rain poured down in Prescott — welcome, drenching rain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "poured down" to vividly describe heavy rain, the flow of liquids, or the movement of crowds, enhancing the imagery in your writing.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "poured down" in overly abstract or metaphorical contexts where a more precise verb might be more appropriate. Overusing the term can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "poured down" is as a phrasal verb, specifically the past tense of the verb phrase "pour down". It describes an action of something falling or flowing in a large quantity. Ludwig confirms this with various examples, where it's used to describe rain, tears, or even lava.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poured down" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe a substantial amount of something descending rapidly. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in the context of weather descriptions and emotional expressions. When using "poured down", consider the intensity and volume you wish to convey. While it is generally considered neutral, avoiding its overuse in abstract contexts can enhance its impact. Exploring alternatives like "rained down", "streamed down", or "rushed down" can also add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rained down

Specifically describes a heavy and abundant fall, often used for rain or objects.

streamed down

Emphasizes a continuous flow, similar to pouring, but often used for liquids or light.

gushed down

Highlights a sudden and forceful outpouring.

cascaded down

Suggests a falling movement like a waterfall, implying a greater volume and visual impact.

flooded down

Suggests an overwhelming and inundating downward flow.

flowed down

Indicates a smooth and continuous descent, often used for liquids or crowds.

rushed down

Conveys a sense of speed and urgency in the downward movement.

descended rapidly

Focuses on the quick downward motion, applicable to various subjects.

coursed down

Describes the path taken by the downward flow, often a natural channel.

emptied out

Implies the complete removal of contents from a container in a downward direction.

FAQs

How can I use "poured down" in a sentence?

You can use "poured down" to describe heavy rain, as in "The rain "poured down" all afternoon", or to describe the flow of a liquid, such as "Tears "poured down" her face".

What are some alternatives to "poured down"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "rained down", "streamed down", or "rushed down".

Is it correct to say "poured down on" instead of "poured down"?

While "poured down" is often used alone, adding "on" can sometimes be appropriate depending on the context. For example, "The rain poured down on the city" is grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "poured down" and "fell heavily"?

"Poured down" implies a more forceful and abundant flow than "fell heavily". The former suggests a continuous and overwhelming descent, while the latter simply indicates a significant amount of falling.