Meaning: Very strong rain fell constantly on the roof.
Choice of Words: Heavy and steadily emphasize the intensity and duration of the rain.
Alternative Expressions
Torrential rain battered the roof relentlessly.
Meaning: This sentence conveys the idea of very heavy rain hitting the roof with great force and without stopping.
Choice of Words:Torrential emphasizes the extreme intensity of the rain. Battered suggests the force with which the rain hit the roof. Relentlessly means without stopping or weakening.
Sheets of rain cascaded down upon the rooftop.
Meaning: This sentence paints a picture of rain falling in large amounts and flowing over the roof like a waterfall.
Choice of Words:Sheets compares the rain to large pieces of cloth falling from the sky. Cascaded describes the flowing of the rain in a waterfall-like manner. Down indicates the direction of the rain's movement. Upon means on or over the surface of the roof.