Houses shook, windows rattled loudly.

Meaning: The houses were moving back and forth in the wind, and the windows were making a lot of noise as they moved.

Choice of Words: Shook means to move quickly back and forth, rattled means to make a series of short, sharp sounds, and loudly means making a lot of noise.

Alternative Expressions

The houses danced and the windows sang.

Meaning: This sentence is more poetic than the first one. It describes the earthquake in a way that makes it sound like the houses and windows are dancing and singing.

Choice of Words: Danced is a verb that means to move in a graceful and rhythmic way. Sang is a verb that means to produce musical sounds with your voice. These words are used figuratively to describe the way the houses and windows are moving.

The houses trembled and the windows vibrated.

Meaning: This sentence is more scientific than the first two. It describes the earthquake in a way that is accurate and easy to understand.

Choice of Words: Trembled is a verb that means to shake slightly. Vibrated is a verb that means to move back and forth rapidly. These words are used to describe the way the houses and windows are moving.

Related Expressions