Sun shone, drying the leaves.

Meaning: The star at the center of our solar system gave out light, removing moisture from the flat, green parts of the plant that grow from the stem.

Choice of Words: Sun is the star at the center of our solar system. Shone means gave out light. Drying means removing moisture. Leaves are the flat, green parts of a plant that grow from the stem.

Alternative Expressions

The sun's rays beamed down, evaporating the moisture from the leaves.

Meaning: This sentence is telling us that the sun's light and heat were shining down on the leaves and making the water on the leaves turn into a gas.

Choice of Words: The sun's rays are the lines of light and heat that come from the sun. When we say that the "sun's rays beamed down," we mean that the sun's light and heat were shining down on the leaves in a strong way. The word "evaporating" means to turn a liquid into a gas. When we say that the "sun's rays beamed down, evaporating the moisture from the leaves," we mean that the sun's light and heat were turning the water on the leaves into a gas.

The sun's warmth kissed the leaves, drying their dampness.

Meaning: This sentence is telling us that the sun's heat was touching the leaves in a gentle way and making them less wet.

Choice of Words: The sun's warmth is the feeling of heat that the sun gives us. When we say that the "sun's warmth kissed the leaves," we mean that the sun's heat was touching the leaves in a gentle way. The word "dampness" means a little bit wet. When we say that the "sun's warmth kissed the leaves, drying their dampness," we mean that the sun's heat was touching the leaves in a gentle way and making them less wet.

Related Expressions