the rain let up

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression 'the rain let up' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used when talking about the weather and indicates that the rain has stopped falling or has become lighter, or that its intensity has decreased. For example, "The rain let up by the afternoon, and we were able to go outside and enjoy the sun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The rain let up that afternoon.

The New York Times - Sports

The rain let up, and then started again.

The New Yorker

The sky darkened but the rain let up, and each team sank into a malaise.

The New York Times - Sports

Because I was finally kitted out properly, the rain let up the next morning.

The New York Times - Travel

When the rain let up a bit, I strolled through the little garden beds surrounding the poolside patio.

The New York Times - Travel

The rain let up, we bought some beer at Ta-Kome, and we all sat on Furnald Lawn and drank it.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

In our own bit of luck, the rain lets up shortly after the ceremony begins.

Princeton University

12 30 p.m. | Updated The U.S. Open is still under indefinite delay, with no sign of the rain letting up.

The New York Times

What will be left when the rain lets up and the mean waters slowly return to the sea?

The Washington Post

Then the second piece of magic happens: The rain lets up, the low-hanging clouds begin to look, at their lower edges, like plumes of dense smoke, and the black rock of Hirta reveals itself to be the lushest shade of green.

The New York Times

When the rain lets up, the tree stops.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the rain let up" to describe a temporary or partial cessation of rainfall, suggesting a possible resumption. For complete cessation, consider "the rain stopped".

Common error

Avoid using "the rain let up" when you mean the rain has completely stopped and is unlikely to resume. "Let up" implies a temporary decrease, not a permanent end. Use "stopped" or "ceased" for a definitive end to the rain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the rain let up" functions as a statement describing a change in weather conditions. Ludwig indicates that this is a correct and usable expression in written English, describing the weather and indicates that the rain has stopped falling or has become lighter, or that its intensity has decreased.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the rain let up" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that indicates a decrease or pause in rainfall. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and conveys a temporary improvement in weather conditions. When using this phrase, keep in mind that it implies a possibility of the rain resuming, unlike phrases such as "the rain stopped", which suggests complete cessation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the rain stopped

Focuses on the complete cessation of rain.

the rain ceased

More formal synonym for the rain stopping.

the rain subsided

Indicates a gradual decrease in the intensity of the rain.

the rain eased off

Suggests a reduction in the rain's intensity.

the rain diminished

Emphasizes the weakening of the rain.

the rainfall lessened

A more formal way to say the rain became less intense.

the downpour abated

Specifically refers to a heavy rain decreasing.

the storm cleared

Broader term that refers to the entire storm, not just the rain, ending.

the weather improved

General term for better weather conditions.

the skies cleared

Focuses on the sky becoming clear after the rain.

FAQs

How can I use "the rain let up" in a sentence?

You can use "the rain let up" to indicate a decrease or pause in rainfall, such as, "The rain let up, so we decided to go for a walk".

What's a more formal alternative to "the rain let up"?

A more formal alternative is "the rain subsided", which suggests a gradual decrease in intensity.

Is "the rain let up" the same as "the rain stopped"?

Not exactly. "The rain let up" implies a temporary decrease, while "the rain stopped" suggests it has ended completely.

Which is correct, "the rain let up" or "the rain lets up"?

"The rain let up" is in the past tense, indicating the rain decreased or paused at a specific time. "The rain lets up" is in the present tense and would be used to describe a recurring pattern.