Families sipped hot cocoa by the fire.

Meaning: This sentence means that the families were enjoying a warm drink and each other's company by the fire.

Choice of Words: Family is a group of people who are related to each other. Sipped means to drink a liquid slowly and in small amounts. Hot cocoa is a warm drink made with chocolate, milk, and sugar. Fire is a controlled burning of something. When you say that families sipped hot cocoa by the fire, it means that the families were drinking hot cocoa while sitting near a fire.

Alternative Expressions

Families drank hot cocoa near the fire.

Meaning: This sentence describes a group of families enjoying a warm drink near a fire. It's like saying, The families were gathered around the fire, sipping their hot cocoa.

Choice of Words: Families is a plural noun that refers to a group of people related by blood or marriage. Drank is a past tense verb that means to consume a liquid. Hot cocoa is a warm, chocolate-flavored drink. Near means close to something else. Fire is a controlled burning of fuel, such as wood or paper.

Families enjoyed hot cocoa by the fireplace.

Meaning: This sentence describes a group of families having a good time while drinking hot cocoa near a fireplace. It's like saying, The families were sitting by the fireplace, sipping their hot cocoa and chatting.

Choice of Words: Families is a plural noun that refers to a group of people related by blood or marriage. Enjoyed is a verb that means to take pleasure in something. Hot cocoa is a warm, chocolate-flavored drink. By means next to or near something else. Fireplace is a place where a fire is built indoors.

Families sipped hot cocoa by the campfire.

Meaning: This sentence describes a group of families relaxing and enjoying a warm drink by a campfire. It's like saying, The families were gathered around the campfire, sipping their hot cocoa and telling stories.

Choice of Words: Families is a plural noun that refers to a group of people related by blood or marriage. Sipped is a verb that means to drink slowly and gently. Hot cocoa is a warm, chocolate-flavored drink. By means next to or near something else. Campfire is a fire built outdoors, often for cooking or warmth.

Related Expressions