Raindrops patter on the roof all night.

Meaning: Rain fell on the roof making a tapping sound during the night.

Choice of Words: Raindrops are drops of rain. Patter means to make a light, repeated tapping sound. Roof refers to the top covering of a building. Night means the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

Alternative Expressions

The raindrops tapped on the roof all night long.

Meaning: This sentence is similar to the first one, but it uses the word "tapped" instead of "pattered." It still means the same thing: the raindrops made a tapping sound on the roof for the entire night.

Choice of Words: Tapped is another word for the sound of raindrops falling on the roof. Long means for a period of time.

Throughout the night, raindrops made a gentle sound on the roof.

Meaning: This sentence is a bit more descriptive than the first two. It tells us that the raindrops made a gentle sound on the roof throughout the night. It's like saying, The raindrops made a soft, quiet tapping sound on the roof all night long.

Choice of Words: Throughout means during the entire time. Gentle means not loud or harsh.

Related Expressions