Woodpeckers tapped busily, searching for insects.

Meaning: The woodpeckers were hitting the trees quickly and repeatedly to look for insects.

Choice of Words: Woodpeckers are birds known for their strong beaks and their habit of pecking on trees. Tapped means to hit something lightly and repeatedly. Busily means in a busy or active manner. Searching means looking for something carefully. For indicates the purpose or objective of an action. Insects are small, often wingless creatures that live in a wide variety of habitats.

Alternative Expressions

Woodpeckers pecked at the tree, looking for food.

Meaning: This sentence means that the woodpeckers were hitting the tree with their beaks in order to find food.

Choice of Words: The word "pecked" is a verb that means to hit something repeatedly with your beak. "Tree" is a noun that refers to a large plant with a trunk and branches. "Looking" is a verb that means to try to see something. "Food" is a noun that refers to anything that you eat to stay alive.

The woodpeckers were tapping on the tree, searching for insects.

Meaning:

Choice of Words: The word "tapping" is a verb that means to hit something lightly and repeatedly. "Tree" is a noun that refers to a large plant with a trunk and branches. "Searching" is a verb that means to look for something. "Insects" are small, wingless animals that have six legs.

Woodpeckers used their beaks to knock on the tree, hoping to find bugs.

Meaning:

Choice of Words: The word "used" is a verb that means to employ something for a purpose. "Beaks" are the hard, pointed mouths of birds. "Knock" is a verb that means to hit something hard. "Tree" is a noun that refers to a large plant with a trunk and branches. "Hoping" is a verb that means to want something to happen. "Bugs" are small, wingless animals that have six legs.

Related Expressions