was rained upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was rained upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has been affected by rain, often in a poetic or literary context. Example: "The old stone path was rained upon, leaving a glistening sheen that caught the light."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Last year we were lucky with In Extremis: not one performance was rained upon, though I became obsessed with five-day forecasts on the net.

The Guardian - Books

I remembered that I have never experienced a single gay pride parade in San Francisco that was rained upon; I remember thinking in the past that surely this is an implicit sign of our communities' approval by the grander forces of life.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Streever's prose does what E. L. Doctorow said good writing is supposed to do, which is to evoke sensation in the reader — "not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon".

The New York Times - Books

For the civilians, the families and children there, can they continue to bear the terror, bloodshed and inhumanity being rained upon them?

BBC

The threat [of Islamic terrorism] is absolutely dwarfed by the reality of the terror that is being rained upon us by white right-wing extremists.

Vice

This might well be attributed to the millions having been rained upon Bush pere through his service to investment entities with deep ties to Middle East funding, funds generated in large measure through sky high oil prices.

Huffington Post

Recognizing that the "mind" binds people to their "self" (the observed), people are then merely subjects being rained upon (or getting too much sun) needing to "run and hide their heads" (or "slip into the shade").

Wikipedia

Once again, the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army has set itself up on the hills around Umtali and is raining upon us, under the cover of the storm, mortar after mortar.

The New York Times - Magazine

A1 Blustery Day at Parade Hillary Rodham Clinton was booed more than cheered in the St . Patricks Day parade, which was rained and snowed upon.

The New York Times

He walked outside to see pedestrians already blocking the sidewalk with their cameras, even as debris from the flames was raining down upon them.

Huffington Post

I will not forget the day I realized I needed help, as I watched my three-year-old son in the corner of our kitchen, his hands over his ears to silence the verbal assault I was raining down upon my wonderful wife, complaining about... her choice of a pizza topping.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was rained upon" when you want to evoke a sense of being affected or influenced by something analogous to rain, such as blessings, hardships, or attacks.

Common error

Avoid using "was rained upon" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it rained on" or "got rained on" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was rained upon" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being rained on. It's often used to describe a state of being affected by rain, either literally or figuratively, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was rained upon" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase that describes the experience of being subjected to rain, literally or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While its frequency is rare, it is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news media, where it can add a touch of literary flair. When choosing this phrase, consider whether you aim to create a poetic image or describe a specific experience of being affected by rain. Otherwise, simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was showered with rain

Replaces "rained upon" with "showered with", emphasizing the abundance of rain.

was drenched by rain

Focuses on the saturation aspect of being rained upon.

experienced rainfall

A more general term for encountering rain.

was caught in a downpour

Highlights the sudden and heavy nature of the rain.

was subjected to a rainstorm

Emphasizes the intensity and severity of the rain.

was exposed to rain

Focuses on the state of being unprotected from rain.

underwent a rainfall event

A more formal and scientific way to describe encountering rain.

was sprinkled with rain

Implies a light, gentle rain.

faced a deluge

Uses a more dramatic term for heavy rain, suggesting an overwhelming amount.

was pelted by rain

Emphasizes the forceful impact of raindrops.

FAQs

How can I use "was rained upon" in a sentence?

You can use "was rained upon" to describe something or someone that experienced rain. For example, "The old stone path was rained upon, leaving a glistening sheen that caught the light."

What is a similar phrase to "was rained upon"?

Similar phrases include "was showered with rain", "was drenched by rain", or "experienced rainfall", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "was rained on" the same as "was rained upon"?

While similar, "was rained upon" often carries a more literary or figurative connotation, suggesting a deeper impact than simply "was rained on".

When is it appropriate to use "was rained upon" instead of simpler alternatives?

Use "was rained upon" when you want to create a more evocative or poetic image, or when the rain is symbolic of something else. In casual contexts, simpler phrases like "it rained on" are more appropriate.