the rain lets up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the rain lets up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where rain decreases in intensity or stops temporarily. Example: "After hours of heavy downpour, the rain lets up just in time for the outdoor event to begin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

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

Princeton University

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

"If you're sitting in the Houston area and you see a break and the rain lets up, don't let your guard down.

Huffington Post

"Because it's raining, we can't complete the striping and the paving operations, but we will begin again as soon as the rain lets up.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 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

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

The New York Times - Travel

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the rain lets up" to describe a temporary or gradual reduction in rainfall intensity, often implying a welcome break or opportunity.

Common error

Avoid using "the rain lets up" when the rain stops abruptly and permanently. This phrase suggests a pause or a gradual decrease, not a sudden end.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the rain lets up" functions as a descriptor of a weather condition. It describes the action of rainfall diminishing in intensity or pausing temporarily. Ludwig AI provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the rain lets up" is a grammatically correct and usable expression describing a decrease in rainfall intensity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Although relatively rare, its usage is consistent across diverse sources like news media and academia. It serves primarily to describe a change in weather, often providing context for subsequent events. While alternatives such as "the rain eases" or "the rain subsides" exist, "the rain lets up" specifically implies a temporary or gradual reduction, rather than a complete cessation. When writing, be mindful of this nuance to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the rain eases

Replaces "lets up" with "eases", indicating a gradual reduction in intensity.

the rain subsides

Uses "subsides" to convey a lessening of the rain's force or volume.

the rain abates

Employs "abates" for a more formal tone, suggesting a reduction in intensity or degree.

the rain dies down

Replaces "lets up" with the phrasal verb "dies down", indicating a gradual decrease.

the rain stops

A simpler alternative, indicating a complete cessation of rainfall.

the rain ceases

A more formal way of saying the rain stops.

the rainfall diminishes

Uses "rainfall" as a noun and "diminishes" to describe a reduction in intensity.

the downpour lightens

Replaces "rain" with "downpour" and "lets up" with "lightens", focusing on heavy rain becoming less intense.

the storm breaks

Indicates a pause or end to a storm, which includes rain.

the weather clears

Broader term indicating an improvement in weather conditions, including the cessation of rain.

FAQs

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

You can use "the rain lets up" to describe a decrease in the intensity of rainfall. For example: "After hours of heavy downpour, "the rain lets up", allowing us to continue our hike."

What can I say instead of "the rain lets up"?

You can use alternatives like "the rain eases", "the rain subsides", or "the rain stops" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the rain lets up"?

Yes, "the rain lets up" is a correct and commonly used expression to describe a decrease in the intensity of rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples from reputable sources.

What's the difference between "the rain lets up" and "the rain stops"?

"The rain lets up" implies a gradual decrease in intensity, suggesting it might start again, while "the rain stops" indicates a complete cessation.