In the darkness, he fumbled for the light switch, desperate for illumination.

Meaning: He was in a dark place and he was trying to find the light switch so he could see.

Choice of Words: Darkness is the absence of light. Fumbled means to handle or search for something clumsily or awkwardly. Illumination is the act of providing light.

Alternative Expressions

In the darkness, he searched for the light switch, wanting very much to see.

Meaning: This means that someone was in a place where there was no light and was looking for a way to turn on the light because they wanted to be able to see.

Choice of Words: Darkness is the absence of light. He is a pronoun that refers to a male person. Searched means to look for something carefully. Light switch is a device that turns on or off a light. Wanting means to desire something. Very much emphasizes the intensity of the desire. See means to perceive with the eyes.

When it was dark, he felt around for the switch that turns on the light, really needing to be able to see.

Meaning: This means that when there was no light, someone used their hands to look for the device that turns on the light because they really wanted to be able to see.

Choice of Words: When is a conjunction that introduces a clause that describes a time. It is a pronoun that refers to a thing or situation that has been previously mentioned. Was dark means that there was no light. He is a pronoun that refers to a male person. Felt means to touch or explore something with the hands. Around means in all directions. For is a preposition that indicates the purpose of an action. Switch is a device that turns on or off a light. That is a relative pronoun that introduces a clause that describes the switch. Turns on means to make a light come on. Light is the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. Really needing means to have a strong desire for something. To be able means to have the ability or permission to do something. See means to perceive with the eyes.

In the absence of light, he groped for the device that illuminates, having a strong desire to perceive visually.

Meaning: This means that when there was no light, someone searched blindly for the thing that makes light because they had a strong desire to be able to see.

Choice of Words: Absence means the lack of something. Light is the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. He is a pronoun that refers to a male person. Groped means to search for something blindly or clumsily. For is a preposition that indicates the purpose of an action. Device is a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose. That is a relative pronoun that introduces a clause that describes the device. Illuminates means to make something light up. Having is a verb that indicates possession or a state of being. Strong desire means a powerful wish or longing. To perceive means to become aware of something through the senses. Visually means relating to sight or vision.

Related Expressions