Dog barks at the mailman again.

Meaning: The common pet makes a short loud sound directed at the person who delivers mail once more.

Choice of Words: Dog is a common pet. Barks means makes a short loud sound. At means directed towards or in the presence of. Mailman is a person who delivers mail. Again means once more.

Alternative Expressions

The dog barked at the mailman again.

Meaning: This sentence is similar to the first one, but it specifies that it is a particular dog that is barking at the mailman.

Choice of Words: The is an article that is used to specify a particular noun. Dog is a noun that refers to a four-legged animal that is often kept as a pet. Barked is a verb that means to make a loud noise, like a dog does. Mailman is a noun that refers to a person who delivers mail. Again means one more time.

The mailman was barked at by the dog again.

Meaning: This sentence is similar to the first two, but it changes the order of the words to emphasize that the mailman is the one being barked at.

Choice of Words: Mailman is a noun that refers to a person who delivers mail. Was is a verb that is used to indicate that something happened in the past. Barked is a verb that means to make a loud noise, like a dog does. At is a preposition that indicates that something is happening to or near something else. By is a preposition that indicates that something is being done by someone or something else. The is an article that is used to specify a particular noun. Dog is a noun that refers to a four-legged animal that is often kept as a pet. Again means one more time.

Related Expressions