In the trees, the owls hooted softly.

Meaning: This sentence is similar to the first two, but it changes the word order slightly. It still means the same thing, which is that the owls were making soft sounds in the trees. It's like saying, The owls were making soft sounds while they were in the trees.

Choice of Words: In is a preposition that means inside or within. Trees are large plants that have a woody stem and branches. The is a definite article that means a specific or particular thing. Owls are birds of prey that are known for their large eyes and excellent night vision. Hooted is a verb that means to make a sound that is characteristic of owls. Softly is an adverb that means in a quiet or gentle manner. When you put these words together, the sentence means that the owls were making soft sounds in the trees.