Meaning: The boy could hear the sound of water falling from the ceiling of the cave.
Choice of Words: He, heard, dripping, water are all verbs that describe the boy's actions. "Dripping" is an adjective that describes the water.
Alternative Expressions
He noticed the dripping water.
Meaning: This means that he became aware of the water falling in drops. It's like saying, He became aware of the water falling from the faucet.
Choice of Words:Noticed is a verb that means to become aware of something. Dripping is a verb that describes the action of water falling in drops. Water is a noun that refers to the clear liquid that falls from the sky or comes out of a faucet. When you put them together, "He noticed the dripping water" means that he became aware of the water falling in drops.
The dripping water caught his attention.
Meaning: This means that the sound of the water falling in drops attracted his attention. It's like saying, The sound of the water falling from the faucet attracted his attention.
Choice of Words:Dripping is a verb that describes the action of water falling in drops. Water is a noun that refers to the clear liquid that falls from the sky or comes out of a faucet. Caught is a verb that means to capture or attract someone's attention. His is a pronoun that refers to the person who is experiencing the action. Attention is a noun that refers to the act of focusing one's mind on something. When you put them together, "The dripping water caught his attention" means that the sound of the water falling in drops attracted his attention.