severe rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe rain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe heavy or intense rainfall, often in weather reports or discussions about climate conditions. Example: "The weather forecast predicts severe rain throughout the weekend, so be prepared for possible flooding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Even without severe rain delays.

The Guardian - Sport

There does not appear to be much chance of severe rain.

The New York Times - Sports

Beginning Saturday afternoon, the Met Office has issued a new weather warning for severe rain over the weekend.

Independent

For some weeks now, severe rain storms (as well as an exceptional surf) have been battering California.

The Economist

This will have an impact on infrastructure that already struggles to deal with severe rain in places like Louisiana and West Virginia.

The Guardian

In desperation the firm asked suppliers to be patient and buyers to accelerate payments, and raised costly loans from outside the banking system.In June severe rain hit Dongguan.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Severe rains and attendant flooding resulted in the deaths of some 60 people.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The most severe rains were expected to hit Tuesday evening and continue through early Wednesday.

The New York Times

Severe rains in 1315 and 1316 caused famine, which led to the spread of disease.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After July 18 , 2007 when severe rains hit Jinan, Tencent.com asked the netizens in Jinan to gather their eyewitness testimony.

The New Yorker

Having said all this, it can be tough dealing with the Mozambican bureaucracy and local challenges such as severe rains and fires.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on weather events, use "severe rain" to convey the intensity and potential danger associated with heavy rainfall, such as flooding or landslides.

Common error

Avoid using "severe rain" in casual conversation where simpler terms like "heavy rain" or "downpour" are more appropriate. The word "severe" can sound overly dramatic in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe rain" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "severe" modifies the noun "rain". It is used to describe rainfall that is of high intensity and potentially dangerous. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severe rain" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe intense and potentially hazardous rainfall. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the intensity of the rain and its potential consequences. While alternatives like "heavy rainfall" and "torrential rain" exist, "severe rain" is particularly useful when emphasizing the dangerous nature of the weather event. It's most frequently encountered in news reports and scientific discussions, making it a neutral and informative term to use. Remember to reserve "severe" for truly impactful rain events to avoid sounding overly dramatic in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torrential rain

Emphasizes the heavy, pouring nature of the rain.

heavy rainfall

A more general term for a large amount of rain.

intense downpour

Highlights the sudden and forceful nature of the rain.

extreme precipitation

A more scientific term for very high levels of rainfall or other forms of precipitation.

major rainstorm

Focuses on the storm aspect, implying widespread and significant rainfall.

deluge

A literary term indicating an overwhelming amount of rain.

monsoon rains

Refers to seasonal heavy rains, particularly in specific regions.

historic rainfall

Emphasizes that the rainfall is noteworthy because it breaks records.

exceptional rainfall

Suggests that the event is out of the ordinary.

excessive rain

Focuses on the overabundance of rainfall, often implying negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "severe rain" in a sentence?

"Severe rain" is used to describe instances of intense rainfall. For example, "The forecast predicts "severe rain" over the next few days, increasing the risk of flooding."

What are some alternatives to saying "severe rain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "torrential rain", "heavy rainfall", or "intense downpour".

Is it correct to say "severely raining"?

While grammatically understandable, "severely raining" is less common and stylistically awkward. It's better to use ""severe rain"" or rephrase the sentence to use alternatives like "raining heavily".

What's the difference between "heavy rain" and "severe rain"?

"Heavy rain" is a general term for a large amount of rainfall. "Severe rain" implies not only a large amount of rain but also potential danger or significant impact, such as flooding or travel disruptions.