Rainbow appears after rain.

Meaning: This means that a rainbow can be seen in the sky after it has rained.

Choice of Words: Rainbow is a colorful arc in the sky caused by the refraction and dispersion of sunlight through water droplets. Appears means to become visible or noticeable. Rain is liquid water falling from the sky.

Alternative Expressions

When it rains, a rainbow shows up.

Meaning: This also means that you can see a rainbow in the sky after it has rained, but it highlights that the rainbow appears after the rain has already started.

Choice of Words: When is used to show that one event happens after another. Rains is the verb form of rain, which means water falling from the clouds. Shows up means to become visible. Rainbow is a colorful arc in the sky that forms when sunlight passes through raindrops. When you put them together, "When it rains, a rainbow shows up" describes the same natural phenomenon as the first sentence, but with a different emphasis on the sequence of events.

After the rain, you might see a rainbow.

Meaning: This means that it is possible to see a rainbow in the sky after it has rained, but it is not guaranteed.

Choice of Words: After is used to show that one event happens later than another. Rain is water that falls from the clouds. Might is used to show that something is possible but not certain. See means to use your eyes to look at something. Rainbow is a colorful arc in the sky that forms when sunlight passes through raindrops. When you put them together, "After the rain, you might see a rainbow" describes the same natural phenomenon as the first two sentences, but with a focus on the possibility of seeing a rainbow after it rains.

Related Expressions