rain poured down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rain poured down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a heavy or intense rainfall, often to create a vivid image in writing. Example: "As the storm approached, the rain poured down, drenching everything in its path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla .— Matt Kenseth's voice wavered, the emotion pouring out as the rain poured down on Daytona International Speedway.

The New York Times - Sports

Rain poured down in Prescott — welcome, drenching rain.

The New York Times

Rain poured down, and he looked up into it.

The Washington Post

Rain poured down, and the street light was broken.

The New York Times

It was late October, and rain poured down on Berkshire.

The Guardian

As rain poured down on Wednesday, Mr. Hanna of the Columbus Zoo defended the sheriff's actions.

The New York Times

The weather got worse; rain poured down and they couldn't see more than ten feet.

The New Yorker

Though it was already early fall, what I'd heard was a cloudburst, and the rain poured down like a monsoon.

The New Yorker

A great deal too much rain poured down on the MorganScott Ballet on Friday night at Bryant Park.

The New York Times - Arts

Late at night, as rain poured down, the media caravan moved indoors for a press conference by the prime ministers.

The Guardian

Prince Harry arrived at Goodwood on Tuesday morning to inspect the assembled planes, as rain poured down on the airfield.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rain poured down" to create a vivid image of heavy rainfall in descriptive writing. It is especially effective when emphasizing the intensity and unrelenting nature of the rain.

Common error

While "rain poured down" is acceptable in most writing, be mindful of overuse in formal or scientific contexts. Consider more neutral alternatives like "heavy rainfall occurred" or "precipitation was significant" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rain poured down" functions as a vivid descriptive element, typically serving as the main verb within a clause. Ludwig provides examples where it paints a picture of heavy rainfall, emphasizing the intensity of the precipitation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

14%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rain poured down" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe heavy rainfall, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily as a descriptive element, aiming to create a vivid image of intense precipitation. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news and media, and formal business contexts. Alternatives like "rain fell heavily" or "it rained cats and dogs" offer different shades of meaning and formality. Be mindful to employ the phrase purposefully; while it's widely accepted, less descriptive options might be preferred in scientific or technical contexts. Ludwig's examples showcase it being used across a diverse range of sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rain fell in torrents

Replaces "poured" with "fell in torrents", highlighting the heavy flow.

rain lashed down

Conveys a sense of the rain hitting with force.

rain was torrential

Emphasizes the intensity of the rain using a different adjective.

rain came down in sheets

Describes the rain as falling in large, continuous streams.

it rained cats and dogs

An idiomatic expression indicating very heavy rain.

it was raining heavily

A simpler and more direct way of describing heavy rainfall.

heavy rain descended

Uses "descended" to convey the arrival of heavy rain.

the heavens opened

A figurative expression emphasizing the dramatic nature of the rain.

downpour ensued

Focuses on the event of a sudden and heavy rainfall.

skies opened up

An expression indicating a sudden and intense rainfall.

FAQs

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

You can use "rain poured down" to vividly describe heavy rainfall, such as "As the storm raged, the "rain poured down", flooding the streets".

What are some alternatives to saying "rain poured down"?

Alternatives include phrases like "rain fell heavily", "it rained cats and dogs", or "rain came down in sheets", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "rain poured down"?

Yes, "rain poured down" is grammatically correct and a common way to describe heavy rainfall. It uses "poured" to emphasize the intensity and volume of the rain.

What's the difference between "rain poured down" and "it rained heavily"?

"Rain poured down" is a more vivid and descriptive way to express heavy rainfall, while "it rained heavily" is a simpler and more neutral statement. The former emphasizes the intensity, while the latter simply states the fact of heavy rain.