Silence reigned, broken only by the rustle of pages.

Meaning: This sentence is about a library, where it is usually quiet and peaceful. The only sound that can be heard is the sound of people turning the pages of books.

Choice of Words: Silence means the absence of sound. Reigned means that it was the dominant condition. Broken means that it was interrupted. Rustle is the sound made by paper or leaves when they are moved.

Alternative Expressions

The room was quiet, except for the sound of pages being turned.

Meaning: This sentence describes a situation where there is no sound in the room except for the sound of pages being turned.

Choice of Words: Room is a space that is enclosed by walls and a roof. Quiet means not making any noise. Except means not including. Sound is anything that you can hear. Pages are the thin sheets of paper that make up a book. Turned means to move something around its axis.

There was no noise in the library, only the sound of someone flipping through a book.

Meaning: This sentence describes a situation where there is no noise in the library except for the sound of someone turning the pages of a book.

Choice of Words: Library is a building or room where books are kept. Noise is a loud sound. Only means without anything else. Sound is anything that you can hear. Someone is a person whose identity is not known. Flipping means to turn something over quickly. Book is a set of pages that are bound together and contain writing, pictures, or both.

Related Expressions