Object

• foot: The rough sides of the canyon swept past her, her bare feet pattered on the ground.

Converse of object

• hear: Next morning, I heard the pitter patter of my sisters moving around the house.

• have: He has the arrogant patter of the policeman combined with the careful delivery of the part-time public speaker.

• follow: The deep voice ceased its booming chant and all he could hear was a faint patter followed by dull thuds directly above him.

• use: Don't try to use any clever sales patter.

Adjective modifier

• usual: The weather was fine, dry and sunny, and all aboard were chatty about the usual dive patter.

• gentle: Outside all was quiet save for the gentle patter of the rain on the windows, the storm having lost much of its ferocity.

• tiny: One of the coolest childrenswear brands around for street-wise kids is expecting the tiny patter of feet.

• great: Impressive and extensive Act including not just great songs but great patter, all round entertainment for all.

• comic: The show is a dazzling display of dexterity, accompanied by a steady stream of comic patter.

Modifies a noun

• song: He is not a natural comedian and makes heavy weather of his patter songs.

• theme: A little while later Michael Weber suggested the actual ' Chaos and Order ' patter theme, which was incorporated immediately.

Followed by an intransitive particle

• off: Ten o'clock passed, and I heard the footsteps of the maid as they pattered off to bed.

• down: Shrapnel from the bursting AA shells pattered down, damaging the roofs in Norman Terrace in Rowlands Gill.

Preposition: of

• foot: If all goes well they should hear the patter of tiny feet within a year.

• rain: Outside all was quiet save for the gentle patter of the rain on the windows, the storm having lost much of its ferocity.

• paw: Highlights in the current issue include: Animal Magic - Should you welcome the patter of tiny paws?

Noun used with modifier

• pitter: Next morning, I heard the pitter patter of my sisters moving around the house.

• sale: There is no overt sale patter; visitors are told they must find a teacher who suits them.

• stage: Townes does manage to squeeze in the often repeated stage patter.