rain eases off

USAGE SUMMARY

"rain eases off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that the rain is gradually becoming less heavy or intense. Example: After a long day of heavy rain, the skies finally cleared and the rain eased off, allowing the sun to shine through.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The historical heart of the city including the iconic Charles Bridge, plus central areas like Karlin, ravaged in 2002 and completely rebuilt at huge cost, look likely to survive more or less intact if - as forecast - the rain eases off on Monday evening.

BBC

Say something like "Beautiful day out today, isn't it?" or "I hope this rain eases off soon, don't you?" This gives her the opportunity to respond.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

6.32pm BST 70 mins: You know what I said about the rain easing off earlier?

The Guardian - Sport

And yet... the rain eased off at about 8.50am, and while there might be the odd shower in the early evening, we're also expecting to see some sun today.

The Guardian - Music

Hopp!" (Go! Go!) and clanking Ski Sunday cowbells, the early miles ticked past without me even thinking about them, and as the rain eased off and the sun broke through over Mount Pilatus, I felt fantastic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But after an early morning downpour the rain eased off, allowing play to start at 11 45 BST, with New Zealand - chasing an improbable 468 to win - resuming on 158-6.

BBC

By Suzanna Dayne JAKARTA, Indonesia, 12 February 2007 – As torrential rains ease off and floodwaters begin to recede, thousands of people in Jakarta and surrounding areas are now returning to their homes.

Unicef

UNICEF aid reaches children and families affected by Jakarta floods JAKARTA, Indonesia, 12 February 2007 – As torrential rains ease off and floodwaters begin to recede, thousands of people in Jakarta and surrounding areas are now returning to their homes.

Unicef

In Lostwithiel, fire crews stayed overnight amid fears that further flooding would occur at high tide at 01 00 GMT but the rain eased off.

BBC

The rain has eased off a little, but the sky to the west looks darker than ever.

The Guardian

The rain had eased off somewhat on Thursday and is expected to stop on Friday, which should help rescue efforts, General Rodríguez said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rain eases off" to describe a gradual reduction in the intensity of rainfall. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While acceptable, "eases off" can sound slightly informal in highly formal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "abates" or "diminishes" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rain eases off" functions as a phrasal verb, where "eases off" modifies "rain" to describe a process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It describes the action of the rain lessening in intensity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rain eases off" is a phrasal verb used to describe the lessening of rainfall intensity. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. While suitable for general use, it is best practice to note its subtle informality in formal writing. Consider alternatives such as "rain diminishes" or "rain subsides" for more sophisticated writing. This phrasal verb is frequently used in news reports and general descriptions to convey a weather change. It is important to not overuse this phrasal verb in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rain subsides

Similar to "diminishes", but implies a more gradual decline.

rain diminishes

Replaces "eases off" with a single verb suggesting a reduction in intensity.

rain lets up

A more informal alternative, using a phrasal verb with "let".

rain decreases

A straightforward substitute for "eases off" using a single verb.

intensity of rain lessens

Specifies that it's the intensity that's decreasing.

rain abates

A more formal and less common way to describe the lessening of rain.

downpour dwindles

Replaces "rain" with "downpour" and "eases off" with "dwindles", suggesting a weakening of heavy rain.

shower slackens

Focuses on a lighter rainfall event and its reduction.

precipitation decreases

Uses a more general term for rainfall, making it applicable to other forms of precipitation.

the storm weakens

Broader term that refers to the weakening of the entire storm rather than just the rain.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says the "rain eases off"?

It means the intensity of the rain is decreasing; it's raining less heavily than before.

What can I say instead of "rain eases off"?

You can use alternatives like "rain diminishes", "rain subsides", or "rain lets up" depending on the context.

Is "rain eases off" grammatically correct?

Yes, "rain eases off" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb in English to describe the lessening of rainfall.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "rain eases off"?

The phrase "rain eases off" is appropriate in a variety of situations, from casual conversations to news reports, to describe a reduction in the intensity of rainfall.