rain seems imminent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rain seems imminent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing weather conditions, particularly when you want to indicate that rain is likely to occur soon. Example: "Looking at the dark clouds gathering in the sky, it’s clear that rain seems imminent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a windy day and rain seemed imminent.

HuffPost

Saab's death seems imminent.

The New York Times

Still, his departure seems imminent.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet no deal seems imminent.

The New Yorker

Economic collapse seems imminent.

The New York Times

A jackknife seems imminent.

The New Yorker

Rioting seems imminent.

The New York Times

Neither of those things seems imminent.

The Economist

BUT mutual fund extinction hardly seems imminent.

The New York Times

This time, though, change actually seems imminent.

The Guardian - Music

No breakthrough seems imminent, but there are some encouraging signs.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rain seems imminent" to add a touch of formality and anticipation when discussing weather conditions. It's more evocative than simply saying "it will rain soon."

Common error

Avoid using "rain seems imminent" in very casual or informal settings. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it looks like it's going to rain" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rain seems imminent" functions as an observation about the likely future weather condition. It combines a subject ("rain"), a linking verb ("seems"), and an adjective ("imminent") to express a judgment based on current conditions. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rain seems imminent" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal way to express the high likelihood of rain occurring soon. Ludwig AI confirms it is perfectly correct in English. While its use is infrequent, predominantly appearing in news and media, it effectively conveys a sense of anticipation or warning about impending weather conditions. For more casual situations, simpler alternatives like "it looks like it's going to rain" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rain is on the horizon

This suggests rain is approaching, focusing on the idea that it's drawing near.

rain is expected shortly

Emphasizes the expectation of rain happening soon, implying a forecast.

rain is anticipated soon

Similar to "rain is expected shortly", but with a slightly more formal tone.

rain is likely to fall

This highlights the probability of rain, focusing on the action of falling.

rain is probable

A more concise and direct way of stating the likelihood of rain.

it looks like rain

An informal observation, relying on visual cues to suggest impending rain.

the threat of rain is looming

Conveys a sense of foreboding, emphasizing the potential negative impact of the rain.

rain is threatening

This option describes rain as a threat that is possible to become reality.

an imminent downpour is anticipated

Emphasizes a heavy rainfall (downpour) is anticipated to begin at any moment.

rain is impending

Highlights that rain is about to occur.

FAQs

What does "rain seems imminent" mean?

The phrase "rain seems imminent" means that rain is very likely to happen soon. It suggests that the conditions are such that rain is expected in the near future.

What can I say instead of "rain seems imminent"?

You can use alternatives like "rain is on the horizon", "rain is expected shortly", or "it looks like rain" depending on the context.

Is "rain seems imminent" formal or informal?

The phrase "rain seems imminent" is relatively formal. While it is grammatically correct, it might sound slightly elevated in very casual conversation. Simpler alternatives are often preferred in informal settings.

Which is correct, "rain seems imminent" or "rain is imminent"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. However, "rain is imminent" implies that the rain is definitely going to happen very soon. "Rain seems imminent" suggests a high probability, but with a slight degree of uncertainty.