rain fell

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'rain fell' is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is a simple sentence in the past tense that describes the action of rain falling. Example: "The dark clouds gathered in the sky and soon after, rain fell in a heavy downpour, drenching the streets in a matter of minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The rain fell.

The New York Times

Gray rain fell endlessly.

The New Yorker

A light rain fell.

The New York Times - Sports

Rain fell in cool sheets.

The New Yorker

Outside, a cold rain fell.

The New York Times

Rain fell intermittently.

The New York Times

Rain fell steadily.

The New York Times

Acid rain fell unchecked.

The New York Times

The rain fell harder.

The New York Times - Travel

The rain fell, obscuring tears.

The New Yorker

A light rain fell in the seventh.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym for "fell" to vary your writing. Options include "descended", "poured", or "started".

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse can make writing monotonous. Vary descriptions by focusing on the effect of the rain (e.g., "the streets glistened") or the type of rain (e.g., "a drizzle began").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rain fell" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the action of rain occurring. Ludwig examples demonstrate its common use in descriptive sentences. It describes a natural phenomenon, providing context to surrounding events or settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rain fell" is a grammatically straightforward and frequently used expression that vividly describes the occurrence of rainfall. According to Ludwig, it's deemed grammatically correct. Its prevalence across diverse sources, particularly in news and media, highlights its descriptive utility. While simple, varying the descriptive adjectives and similar alternatives as "it rained", and "rain was falling" can enhance writing. Mastering its usage ensures clear and effective communication about weather events in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it rained

This is a simpler, more direct way to express the same idea.

rain was falling

This phrase emphasizes the ongoing nature of the rain.

rain began to fall

Emphasizes the starting point of the rainfall event.

precipitation occurred

A more formal way to state that rain (or another form of precipitation) happened.

a downpour ensued

This suggests a sudden and heavy rainfall.

showers commenced

This indicates the beginning of light or moderate rainfall.

raindrops descended

Focuses on the individual drops of rain.

a drizzle started

Indicates very light rain began.

the heavens opened

A more figurative expression suggesting a heavy downpour.

a storm broke

Suggests the onset of a more significant weather event including rain.

FAQs

How can I describe the intensity of rain instead of just saying "rain fell"?

Instead of just saying "rain fell", you could use phrases like "rain poured", "rain fell in torrents", or "light rain fell" to provide more detail.

What's a more poetic way to say "rain fell"?

Consider using expressions like "the heavens opened", "tears of the sky fell" (figurative), or "droplets descended" for a more evocative description.

Which is better, "rain fell" or "it rained"?

Both "rain fell" and "it rained" are grammatically correct, but "it rained" is generally more concise. "Rain fell" can be useful when you want to emphasize the rain itself, especially in descriptive writing.

In what contexts is "rain fell" most appropriate?

"Rain fell" is suitable for narrative and descriptive contexts, such as in literature or news reports detailing weather events. It is less common in everyday conversation.