They cut wood to build a house.

Meaning: They used a sharp object to divide wood and used the pieces to construct a structure where people can live.

Choice of Words: Cut means to divide or separate something using a sharp object. Wood is a solid material from the trunk or branches of a tree. Build means to construct something by putting parts together. House is a structure where people live.

Alternative Expressions

The lumberjacks felled trees to construct a dwelling.

Meaning: This means that people whose job is to cut down trees are using axes or saws to cut down trees so that they can use the wood to build a place for people to live. It's like saying, The lumberjacks are cutting down trees to create the materials they need to build a house.

Choice of Words: Lumberjacks are people who cut down trees and prepare them for use. Felled means to cut down a tree. Trees are large plants with woody stems and branches. To indicates the purpose or intention of the action. Construct means to build or put together something, in this case, a dwelling, which is a place where people live.

The carpenters sawed planks to erect a residence.

Meaning: This means that people whose job is to work with wood are using saws to cut wood into planks so that they can use the planks to build a place for people to live. It's like saying, The carpenters are cutting wood into planks to create the materials they need to build a house.

Choice of Words: Carpenters are people who work with wood to build things. Sawed means to cut wood using a saw. Planks are long, flat pieces of wood that are used for building. To indicates the purpose or intention of the action. Erect means to build or put together something, in this case, a residence, which is a place where people live.

Related Expressions