steady rain

USAGE SUMMARY

"steady rain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the weather in a specific location and time, or to describe the type of rain that is falling. Example: All morning, the sky had been overcast with a steady rain falling.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A steady rain was falling.

The New Yorker

Outside, a steady rain had set in.

The New Yorker

Canceled in the event of steady rain.

The New York Times - Arts

Steady rain accompanied most of that delay.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Conyers emerged into a steady rain.

The New York Times

A curtain of steady rain is trailing me.

The Guardian

All were wet from the steady rain outside.

The New York Times

Steady rain fell, but winds gusted only to 20 m.p.h.

The New York Times

A steady rain was falling the next morning.

The New York Times - Sports

But a steady rain intervened, and the game was postponed.

The New York Times - Sports

He casts the spell of steady rain at night, languorous autumn afternoons.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather conditions in writing, "steady rain" is useful for conveying a sense of persistent, moderate rainfall that isn't torrential but also isn't just a drizzle. Use it to set a mood or describe conditions that affect outdoor activities.

Common error

Avoid using "steady rain" when describing brief, intense downpours. "Steady" implies a consistent, moderate pace, not a sudden burst. For intense bursts, consider "heavy rain" or "downpour".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steady rain" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where "steady" modifies the noun "rain". According to Ludwig, this phrase accurately describes weather conditions with persistent rainfall. This is commonly used to paint a picture of continuous, unwavering weather.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Sports

13%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "steady rain" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe persistent, moderate rainfall. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread use in neutral contexts such as news reporting and sports updates. The frequency of the phrase underscores its importance in describing weather conditions and setting scenes. When writing, remember that "steady rain" implies consistency, not intensity, and avoid using it for brief, heavy downpours.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constant rain

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the rain.

persistent rain

Highlights the enduring quality of the rain.

continuous rain

Similar to constant rain, stressing the uninterrupted flow.

uninterrupted rain

Focuses on the lack of breaks in the rainfall.

incessant rain

Highlights that the rain never stops.

unrelenting rain

Emphasizes the rain's stubborn persistence.

regular rain

Describes the rain as happening at repeatable intervals.

consistent rainfall

A more formal way of expressing steady rain.

light but constant rain

Specifies a intensity of light rainfall.

moderate but continuous rain

Suggests a higher level of rain intensity.

FAQs

How to use "steady rain" in a sentence?

You can use "steady rain" to describe ongoing rainfall, such as: "The baseball game was postponed due to the "steady rain"." or "A "steady rain" fell throughout the afternoon, dampening the city streets."

What can I say instead of "steady rain"?

You can use alternatives like "constant rain", "persistent rain", or "continuous rain" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "steady rain" and "torrential rain"?

"Steady rain" implies a consistent, moderate rainfall over time, while "torrential rain" describes a sudden, heavy downpour. They differ in intensity and duration.

Is "steady rain" formal or informal?

"Steady rain" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in news reports, weather forecasts, and everyday conversation.