Hands reach for plates.

Meaning: This means that the parts of the body at the end of the arms of the people who are smelling the pleasant food smells are stretching out or extending in order to touch or grab the plates on which the food is being served.

Choice of Words: Hands are the parts of the body at the end of the arms that humans and animals use to manipulate objects. Reach is a verb that means to stretch out or extend in order to touch or grab something. Plates are the flat dishes on which food is served.

Alternative Expressions

Hungry people need food.

Meaning: This means that people who are feeling hungry need to eat something. It's like saying, People who haven't eaten for a while should eat now.

Choice of Words: Hungry means feeling a need to eat. People are human beings. Need means to require something in order to survive or function properly. Food is anything that can be eaten to provide nourishment. When you put these words together, "Hungry people need food" describes the situation of people who feel the need to eat in order to survive.

The dog barked at the mailman.

Meaning: This means that the dog made a loud sound at the person who delivers mail. It's like saying, The dog was making a loud sound at the person who brought the letters.

Choice of Words: Dog is a common pet animal. Barked means to make a loud sound with your mouth, like a dog does. Mailman is a person whose job is to deliver mail. When you put these words together, "The dog barked at the mailman" describes the action of a dog making a loud sound at the person who delivers mail.

Related Expressions