The children build a sandcastle at the beach.

Meaning: This sentence describes young people constructing a structure made of sand at a sandy shore beside a body of water.

Choice of Words: "Children" refers to young people, "build" describes the construction of something, "sandcastle" is a structure made of sand, "at" indicates the location of the construction, and "beach" is a sandy shore beside a body of water. The sentence creates a delightful image of children constructing a castle out of sand at a beach.

Alternative Expressions

The children are constructing a sandcastle on the beach.

Meaning: This means the same as the first example, but uses the word "constructing" instead of "build." It's like saying, The kids are putting together a sandcastle on the beach.

Choice of Words: The is an article that refers to a specific thing. Children is a noun that refers to young people. Are is a verb that means to exist or to be in a certain state. Constructing is a verb that means to build or create something. A is an article that refers to one thing. Sandcastle is a noun that refers to a structure made of sand. On is a preposition that means in or on a place. The is an article that refers to a specific thing. Beach is a noun that refers to a sandy shore. When you put them together, "The children are constructing a sandcastle on the beach" means that the children are creating a structure made of sand on the sandy shore.

The kids make a sandcastle by the ocean.

Meaning: This means the same as the first two examples, but uses the word "make" instead of "build" and "by the ocean" instead of "on the beach." It's like saying, The children are creating a sandcastle near the ocean.

Choice of Words: The is an article that refers to a specific thing. Kids is a noun that refers to young people. Make is a verb that means to create something. A is an article that refers to one thing. Sandcastle is a noun that refers to a structure made of sand. By is a preposition that means near or beside something. The is an article that refers to a specific thing. Ocean is a noun that refers to a large body of salt water. When you put them together, "The kids make a sandcastle by the ocean" means that the children are creating a structure made of sand near the large body of salt water.

Related Expressions