rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the precipitation that falls from the atmosphere in the form of water droplets. Example: "The forecast predicts rain tomorrow, so don't forget to bring an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stretching towards Peru and Bolivia, it lays claim to being the driest desert in the world, with only 0.01mm of rain falling in an average year.

The Guardian - Travel

He was probably relaxing in some luxurious dwelling beside a cosy open fire, wondering how he could further enrage Isis, while we all stood in the widdling rain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

More than 3in of rain fell over much of eastern Iowa and northern Illinois Monday night and Tuesday morning, and some areas got up to 5in of rain, National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Fuchs said, capping a week of downpours in the region.

The Guardian

Weekend storms dumped as much as 9in of rain.

The Guardian

After more rain this translated into a target of 143 from 16 overs, which was feasible enough, but Hampshire's run-chase was a mess and they fell short by 41 runs.

The Guardian - Sport

Calle Argantonio 3, [phone], hotelargantonio.es, doubles from €85 Hotel La Casa del Califa, Vejer Hope for rain and curl up in an armchair with a book, linger over lunch in the atmospheric restaurant, watch clouds scudding over the pile of white blocks, domes and church towers that make up this spectacular town.

The Guardian - Travel

Suspense builds up until (*spoiler alert*) Mount Vesuvius erupts in a red column of flame, showering fiery rain down on the children and forcing them to flee for their lives.

The Guardian

In Germany alone, where large swaths of the country, from Bavaria to Saxony, are underwater after two weeks of solid rain, an estimated 50,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.

The Guardian

Freezing rain prompted the federal government to allow workers to arrive up to two hours later than normal on Monday, or take unscheduled leave.

The Guardian

Then cover the whole lot with a plastic cloche to keep off the rain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That night, with sand flying through the air like gritty rain, it would be my tent.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rain" to describe precipitation, but consider more descriptive alternatives like "downpour", "shower", or "drizzle" to add nuance and specificity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "rain" when you mean "reign" (to rule) or "rein" (to control). For example, instead of writing 'The queen rained over the land', use 'The queen reigned over the land'.

Linguistic Context

The word "rain" primarily functions as a noun, referring to water falling in drops from the atmosphere. It can also function as an intransitive verb, indicating the action of precipitation. As per Ludwig AI, the word "rain" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Travel

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Lifestyle

10%

Film

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "rain" is a versatile word that functions primarily as a noun or verb related to precipitation. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and frequently used. It appears most often in News & Media, Travel and Sport contexts. Related terms include "rainfall", "precipitation", and "downpour". When writing, avoid confusing "rain" with homophones like "reign" or "rein". Overall, "rain" is a common and readily understood term with a neutral register, easily adapted for a variety of purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rainfall

Refers specifically to the amount of rain that falls.

precipitation

A more general term that includes all forms of moisture falling from the sky, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

torrential rain

Emphasizes the heavy and forceful nature of the rain.

heavy rain

Simply emphasizes the intensity of rainfall.

downpour

Describes a heavy and intense fall of rain.

light rain

Describes a gentle and less intense rainfall.

shower

Refers to a brief and light fall of rain.

raining

The continuous form of the verb "rain", indicating the action of rain falling.

drizzle

Describes a very light rain.

monsoon

Describes a seasonal period of heavy rainfall, especially in South Asia.

FAQs

How is "rain" typically used in a sentence?

The word "rain" can function as a noun or a verb. As a noun: "We need "rain gear" for the trip." As a verb: "It will "rain today"".

What are some synonyms for "rain"?

Synonyms for "rain" include "rainfall", "precipitation", "downpour", "shower", and "drizzle" depending on the intensity and duration of the rain.

Is it correct to say "it rains" or "it is raining"?

Both "it rains" and "it is raining" are grammatically correct, but "it is raining" is more commonly used to describe rain happening at the moment. "It rains" is used to indicate a habitual action: "It rains often in April".

What's the difference between "rain" and "rainfall"?

"Rain" refers to the water falling from the sky, while "rainfall" refers to the amount of rain that falls in a particular period. You can say "We had a lot of "rain last night"" or "The "rainfall was heavy"".