Children listened, eyes alight.

Meaning: The children were completely engrossed in the stories, their eyes shining with excitement and wonder.

Choice of Words: Children listened conveys the rapt attention of young listeners, while eyes alight captures the sparkle of excitement and curiosity in their eyes.

Alternative Expressions

The children were all ears.

Meaning: This means that the children were paying very close attention to what was being said.

Choice of Words: Children is a plural noun that refers to a group of young people. Were is a past tense verb that means to exist or to be in a particular state. All is an adjective that means the whole amount or quantity. Ears is a plural noun that refers to the organs of hearing.

The children hung on every word.

Meaning: This means that the children were very interested in what was being said and they were listening very carefully.

Choice of Words: Children is a plural noun that refers to a group of young people. Hung is a past tense verb that means to be suspended or attached to something. Every is an adjective that means each one of a group. Word is a noun that refers to a unit of language.

Related Expressions