The branches creaked and groaned, like old men telling stories.

Meaning: The sentence describes the sound made by the branches in the wind and compares it to the sound of old men telling stories.

Choice of Words: Branches creaked and groaned is a phrase that describes the sound made by the branches when they are blown by the wind. Like old men telling stories is a phrase that compares the sound of the branches to the sound of old men telling stories.

Alternative Expressions

The branches moaned and complained, like grumpy old men.

Meaning: This sentence is describing the sound that the branches of a tree make when they are blowing in the wind. The writer is comparing the sound of the branches to the sound of grumpy old men. This is a simile, which is a figure of speech that compares two things that are not alike in order to make a point.

Choice of Words: Moaned and complained are both verbs that describe a sound made by someone who is unhappy or uncomfortable. Grumpy is an adjective that describes someone who is bad-tempered or irritable. Old men are people who have lived for a long time and have a lot of experience.

The branches whispered and gossiped, like old ladies at a tea party.

Meaning: This sentence is describing the sound that the branches of a tree make when they are blowing in the wind. The writer is comparing the sound of the branches to the sound of old ladies gossiping at a tea party. This is a metaphor, which is a figure of speech that compares two things that are not alike in order to make a point.

Choice of Words: Whispered and gossiped are both verbs that describe a quiet conversation between two or more people. Old ladies are women who have lived for a long time and have a lot of experience. Tea party is a social event where people drink tea and eat small cakes and sandwiches.

Related Expressions