Clouds gathered, rain loomed, I grabbed an umbrella.

Meaning: The clouds were getting darker and heavier, and it looked like it was going to rain. I quickly grabbed an umbrella to protect myself from the rain.

Choice of Words: Clouds are visible masses of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. Gathered means to come together into a group or mass. Rain is the precipitation of water from the clouds, usually in the form of droplets. Loomed means to appear large and threatening. Grabbed means to seize or take hold of something quickly and firmly. Umbrella is a collapsible, handheld device designed to protect people from rain or sunlight.

Alternative Expressions

The clouds came together, and it looked like it was going to rain, so I grabbed an umbrella.

Meaning: This sentence means the same as the first sentence, but it is written in a different way.

Choice of Words: The is used before a noun to show that it is a specific thing. Came is the past tense of come, which means to move towards a place. Together means to be in the same place or group. And is used to join two sentences or phrases. It is a pronoun that refers to something that has already been mentioned. Looked is the past tense of look, which means to use your eyes to see something. Like is used to compare two things. It is a pronoun that refers to something that has already been mentioned. Was is the past tense of be, which is a verb that describes a state of being. Going is the present participle of go, which means to move from one place to another. To is a preposition that shows direction. Rain is the water that falls from the sky. So is used to show a connection between two sentences or phrases. I is the person speaking. Grabbed means to take hold of something quickly. An is used before a noun to show that there is only one of that thing. Umbrella is a thing you hold over your head to keep the rain off.

As the clouds gathered and the rain threatened, I quickly reached for an umbrella.

Meaning: This sentence means the same as the first two sentences, but it is written in a different way.

Choice of Words: As is used to show that two events happened at the same time. Clouds are the fluffy things you see in the sky. Gathered means they came together to form a group. And is used to join two sentences or phrases. The is used before a noun to show that it is a specific thing. Rain is the water that falls from the sky. Threatened means it looked like it was going to happen. I is the person speaking. Quickly means to do something fast. Reached is the past tense of reach, which means to move your hand or arm towards something. For is a preposition that shows purpose. An is used before a noun to show that there is only one of that thing. Umbrella is a thing you hold over your head to keep the rain off.

Related Expressions