Friends gathered nearby.

Meaning: People with close relationships came together to a location that was close.

Choice of Words: Friends means people who have a close relationship. Gathered means to come together in one place. Nearby means close to a particular place.

Alternative Expressions

My friends came over.

Meaning: This means that the speaker's friends came to visit them. It's like saying, My friends came to my house to play.

Choice of Words: My shows that the friends belong to the speaker. Friends are people who care about each other and like to spend time together. Came means to arrive at a place. Over means to move to a place that is higher or closer to something else. So, "My friends came over" means that the speaker's friends arrived at a place that was higher or closer to the speaker.

The children played together.

Meaning: This means that a group of children were having fun together by doing something they enjoyed. It's like saying, The children played hide-and-seek in the park.

Choice of Words: The shows that we are talking about a specific group of children. Children are young people. Played means to engage in an activity for enjoyment or recreation. Together means in the company of another or others. So, "The children played together" means that a group of children engaged in an activity for enjoyment or recreation in the company of each other.

Related Expressions