We ate cake after dinner.

Meaning: This sentence means that we consumed cake following the main meal of the day.

Choice of Words: Ate is the past tense of eat, which means to consume food. Cake is a sweet food often served at celebrations. After means following something in time. Dinner is the main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening. When you put them together, "We ate cake after dinner" describes the action of consuming cake following the main meal.

Alternative Expressions

The dog barked at the mailman.

Meaning: This means that a specific dog made a loud noise with its mouth towards or in the direction of a person who delivers mail. It's like saying, The dog made a loud noise with its mouth when the mailman came to the door.

Choice of Words: The is a definite article that refers to a specific thing or person. Dog is a noun that refers to a domesticated carnivorous mammal. Barked is a verb that means to make a loud noise with the mouth. At is a preposition that means towards or in the direction of. Mailman is a noun that refers to a person who delivers mail. When you put them together, "The dog barked at the mailman" is a simple sentence describing an event.

The children played in the park.

Meaning: This means that some specific children engaged in an activity for enjoyment or recreation within or inside a public green space used for recreation. It's like saying, The children had fun playing in the park.

Choice of Words: The is a definite article that refers to a specific thing or person. Children is a noun that refers to young humans. Played is a verb that means to engage in an activity for enjoyment or recreation. In is a preposition that means within or inside. Park is a noun that refers to a public green space used for recreation. When you put them together, "The children played in the park" is a simple sentence describing an event.

Related Expressions