drumming

drumming — noun

1. using sticks or your hands to hit drums and create musical rhythms, either as a

1.名詞B1
釋義

using sticks or your hands to hit drums and create musical rhythms, either as a solo skill or together with other musicians in a band.

例句

Dylan spent every afternoon practicing drumming in the garage with his band.

drumming in [location] — gerund as a named activity

The steady drumming of the taiko group could be heard three blocks away.

the drumming of [group] — passive construction

同義詞
  • percussion

    formal term for the whole family of struck instruments; broader than drumming

  • beating

    more general, can refer to any repetitive hitting, not necessarily musical

文法句型

drumming + noun

take up + drumming

drumming of + noun

用法筆記

Uncountable when referring to the general activity ("Drumming is good exercise"). Countable when referring to a specific instance or style ("His drumming on that track was amazing"). Often used as a gerund after verbs like practise, take up, teach, learn.

常見錯誤

❌I am learning drum.
✅I am learning drumming.
💡'drum' as a countable noun refers to the instrument; 'drumming' is the activity name.
❌She has drumming for three years.
✅She has been drumming for three years.
💡the gerund 'drumming' needs a form of 'be' as a main verb.

2. a steady, repeating sound or physical sensation that reminds you of drum beats —

2.名詞B2
釋義

a steady, repeating sound or physical sensation that reminds you of drum beats — for instance, rain hitting a roof, fingers tapping a desk, or a heart beating fast from excitement or fear.

例句

The drumming of rain on the tin roof kept everyone awake that night.

drumming of rain — metaphorical use with weather

Adisa could feel the drumming of his heart as he stepped onto the stage.

drumming of [one's] heart — bodily sensation metaphor

同義詞
  • thumping

    stronger, more physical; suggests a heavy, dull impact

  • pounding

    even more forceful than thumping; often of pain or anger

  • tapping

    lighter and quicker; less rhythmic than drumming

文法句型

the drumming of + noun (rain/fingers/heart/wheels)

drumming in + body part

drumming on + surface

用法筆記

Frequently appears in descriptions of weather (rain, hail), body sensations (heart, pulse, temples), and impatient gestures (fingers, feet). Unlike sense 1, this sense does NOT refer to musical skill or the activity of playing drums.

常見錯誤

❌I could hear the drumming of the radio.
✅I could hear the drumming of the rain.
💡'drumming' describes a repetitive percussive sound, not electronic or melodic sounds.