shower of rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shower of rain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden or brief period of rain, often implying a heavy downpour. Example: "As we were walking in the park, a sudden shower of rain caught us off guard, forcing us to seek shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The cleanliness continues as he tortures an enemy suspect, then washes the blood off in a shower of rain.

The New Yorker

Every  time I meet another president I say: a president is just a shower of rain in the life of a country.

The Economist

"Miraculous, powerful, unfathomable reality" had ambushed him elsewhere, too: the wind in a field of yellow chrysanthemums, leaves in the sunlit garden after a shower of rain.

The Economist

The double-decker rescued me from a shower of rain and an exhausting walk around what will very soon be Lancashire's biggest and most contentious development site.

The Guardian - Arts

But I'm sure that people understand just as one swallow doesn't make a spring, one shower of rain does not break a drought and you need an extremely good period of wet weather".

The Guardian

Think of the last shot of the Zone in Tarkovsky's Stalker, as a shower of rain falls through the roof of a derelict building: we watch the shower ­begin, continue and end while nothing else happens around it.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He duly expanded it into two books, The Bluesmen (1967) and Sweet as the Showers of Rain (1977).

The Guardian - Music

Although slight showers of rain fell during the day, the Berlin crowd did not regard it as a bad omen for the Imperial wedding.

The New York Times

Undaunted by sharp showers of rain, the Tibetan leader alternated earnest entreaties with much chuckling and laughter in a combination of spirituality and humour which seemed to charm the locals.

Independent

The production has gone to some trouble to create an authentic environment, from the designer Francis O'Connor's hunger-inspiring, fully stocked baker's kitchen to the convincing showers of rain and snow created to evoke the changing seasons.

The New York Times

As we lurched through a heavy swell along the shores of the tiny island of Eday, icy winds racing at up to 40mph brought a succession of heavy showers of rain, sleet and even hail.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shower of rain" when describing a brief, often unexpected, period of rainfall. It can add a touch of vividness to your writing, especially in descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "shower of rain" to describe prolonged or extremely heavy rainfall. Opt for terms like "torrential rain" or "downpour" in those cases to accurately convey the intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shower of rain" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in describing a transient episode of rainfall. The examples provided showcase its descriptive capacity in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shower of rain" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a brief and often unexpected period of rainfall. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's essential to consider the context to ensure its appropriate usage. As evidenced by the examples, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media, wiki and science contexts. When choosing to use the phrase "shower of rain", remember it is useful when you want to provide a descriptive component to your writing. For more intense or prolonged instances of rainfall, consider alternatives like "torrential rain" or ""downpour"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passing shower

Emphasizes the transient nature of the rain.

rain flurry

Similar to a shower, but may suggest a lighter, more scattered fall.

short burst of rain

Highlights both the intensity and brevity of the rain event.

brief rainfall

Emphasizes the short duration of the rainfall.

scattered showers

Indicates intermittent periods of rain across an area.

light rain

Describes a less intense form of rainfall.

sudden downpour

Highlights the unexpected and heavy nature of the rain.

heavy rainfall

Highlights the volume of rain.

torrential rain

Describes very heavy and intense rainfall.

drizzle

Implies a very light and fine rain.

FAQs

How can I use "shower of rain" in a sentence?

You can use "shower of rain" to describe a brief period of rainfall, as in, "A "shower of rain" interrupted our picnic."

What's a good alternative to "shower of rain"?

Alternatives include "rain shower", "downpour", or "brief rainfall", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "shower of rain" a formal or informal expression?

"Shower of rain" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more technical descriptions like "intermittent precipitation" may be preferred in scientific writing.

What is the difference between "shower of rain" and "torrential rain"?

"Shower of rain" implies a brief period of rainfall, while "torrential rain" indicates very heavy and intense rainfall. Use "torrential rain" to describe severe weather conditions.