'Rain' is water falling from the sky; 'reign' is the period during which a monarch rules.
Noun/verb. Water condensed from clouds and falling to earth. Also: to fall as rain.
Heavy rain disrupted flights at the airport for three hours.
It rained solidly for two weeks during the monsoon season.
Don't forget an umbrella — there is a thirty percent chance of rain.
Noun/verb. The period during which a monarch holds power. Also: to be dominant or prevailing.
Queen Victoria's reign lasted sixty-three years.
During his reign, the country experienced rapid economic growth.
Confusion reigned in the office after the unexpected announcement.
Common mistake
"The queen's rain lasted seventy years" (correct: reign). Or confusing 'reign' with rain when writing about weather.
Trick to remember it
'Rain' has AI for 'air' — raindrops fall through the air. 'Reign' contains the silent GN like 'foreign' — kings reign over foreign lands too.
Quick rule
Is it water falling from clouds? 'Rain'. Is it a monarch's period in power? 'Reign'.
Did you know?
Queen Elizabeth II held the longest reign of any British monarch: 70 years from 1952 to 2022. The word 'reign' shares its Latin root 'regnum' (kingdom) with 'regal', 'regent', and 'royal'. All these words trace back to the Latin 'rex' (king).
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The monarch's _____ was marked by significant political and social reforms.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
We had to cancel the outdoor event because _____ was forecast all afternoon.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it water falling from clouds? 'Rain'. Is it a monarch's period in power? 'Reign'.
"The queen's rain lasted seventy years" (correct: reign). Or confusing 'reign' with rain when writing about weather.
'Rain' has AI for 'air' — raindrops fall through the air. 'Reign' contains the silent GN like 'foreign' — kings reign over foreign lands too.
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy