what a rain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a rain" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to express surprise or emphasis about the rain, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "What a rain we had last night, it flooded the streets!"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Most poetic lyric: If all the raindrops were lemon drops or gumdrops, what a rain that would be.

The New York Times

The meteorologist asked the students of São Luiz whether they knew what a rain gauge was and what the weather data in millimeters actually meant on the ground.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"My word, what a lot of rain delays," said the American, who is through to the last 16 for the first time since 2010.

The Guardian - Sport

Because driving is difficult and dangerous; it takes experience to know what a smattering of rain will do to a drought-dry road or how too much speed will affect a two-ton automobile on a curve.

The New York Times

What a land for rain.

Vice

I'm singing in the rain Just singing in the rain What a glorious feelin' I'm happy again I'm laughing at clouds So dark up above The sun's in my heart And I'm ready for love – Lyrics Arthur Freed, music Nacio Herb Brown (dance moves Gene Kelly) It seems that it remains fashionable to knock the London startup community – especially if you're a former resident.

TechCrunch

He followed by writing: "What a shame about the rain.

The New York Times - Sports

Just singin' in the rain, What a glorious feeling, And I'm happy again.

Los Angeles Times

It will, though, cheer what often precedes a rain delay: heavy cloud cover.

The New York Times - Sports

EVER wonder what happens to a rain garden when temperatures outside creep toward 100 degrees and it hasn't rained in weeks?

The New York Times

What good is a rain garden in Queens Plaza, for example, if the city won't reduce the number of traffic lanes on the Queensboro Bridge?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing surprise or emphasis about rainfall, use more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "what a downpour" or "what heavy rain" instead of "what a rain".

Common error

Don't use "what a rain" as a direct substitute for more established phrases like "what heavy rain". While understandable, it's not idiomatic and may sound unnatural to native English speakers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a rain" functions as an exclamatory expression, intended to convey surprise or emphasis regarding rainfall. While grammatically questionable, the examples from Ludwig show it is used in contexts where the speaker is reacting to the presence or intensity of rain.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "what a rain" may appear in various sources, Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is not grammatically correct or commonly used in standard English. It serves as an exclamatory expression, usually with an informal register, to express surprise or reaction about rainfall. More appropriate alternatives include "what a downpour" or "what heavy rain", which are grammatically sound and widely accepted. When in doubt, opting for these alternatives ensures clarity and correctness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a downpour

Emphasizes the intensity and abundance of the rain.

what heavy rain

Highlights the intensity and weight of the rainfall.

what torrential rain

Stresses the extreme force and volume of the rain.

what a storm

Focuses on the overall severity of the weather event, including rain.

what a deluge

Implies a sudden and overwhelming amount of rain.

what a cloudburst

Refers to a sudden, heavy rainfall.

how it's raining

Shifts the focus to the observation of the rain's current state.

what a shame about the rain

Expresses regret or disappointment related to the rain.

my word, what a lot of rain

Highlights the large quantity of rain.

it's raining cats and dogs

Uses an idiom to describe very heavy rain.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "what a rain" that sound more natural?

Consider using phrases like "what a downpour", "what heavy rain", or "what torrential rain" depending on the intensity you want to convey.

Is "what a rain" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "what a rain" is not considered standard English. It's better to use more common phrases like "what heavy rain" or "what a downpour".

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "what a rain"?

You might find "what a rain" in informal speech or writing, but it's generally avoided in formal contexts. Stick to more established phrases for professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "what a rain" and "what heavy rain"?

"What heavy rain" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express surprise or emphasis about the intensity of the rain. "What a rain" is not standard English and may sound awkward or incorrect.