They laughed and talked all day long.

Meaning: They were very happy and they communicated with each other for the whole day.

Choice of Words: Laughed is a simple past tense verb that describes an act of producing a sound when you are happy or amused. Talked is another simple past tense verb that means to communicate with someone through words. All day long is a phrase that describes the entire duration of the day.

Alternative Expressions

The children played in the park all afternoon.

Meaning: This means that the children were playing in the park for the entire afternoon, which suggests that they were having a good time and enjoying themselves.

Choice of Words: The children is a noun phrase that refers to the group of young people who are playing in the park. Played is the past tense of the verb play, which means to engage in an activity for enjoyment or recreation. In the park is a prepositional phrase that indicates the location where the children are playing. All afternoon is a phrase that means the entire afternoon, from noon until evening.

The students studied hard for the test all week.

Meaning: This means that the students were studying hard for the test for the entire week, which suggests that they were taking the test seriously and wanted to do well.

Choice of Words: The students is a noun phrase that refers to the group of young people who are studying for the test. Studied is the past tense of the verb study, which means to learn or gain knowledge about a subject. Hard is an adverb that means with great effort or determination. For the test is a prepositional phrase that indicates the reason why the students are studying. All week is a phrase that means the entire week, from Monday until Sunday.

Related Expressions