Its sensors scanned objects nearby.

Meaning: The robot's special tools looked closely at things close to it.

Choice of Words: The word sensors refers to devices that detect and respond to physical stimuli, while scanned describes the process of examining something in detail. Objects are physical things, and nearby means close to the robot.

Alternative Expressions

The device's sensors detected objects in the vicinity.

Meaning: This means the same thing as the first sentence. The machine was using its sensors to look at things that were close to it.

Choice of Words: Device is another word for a machine or gadget. Detected means to find or notice something. Objects are things you can see or touch. Vicinity means the area around something. When you put it all together, "The device's sensors detected objects in the vicinity" means that the machine was using its sensors to find things that were close to it.

The machine's sensors examined things that were close by.

Meaning: This also means the same thing as the first two sentences. The machine was using its sensors to look at things that were close to it.

Choice of Words: Machine is another word for a device or gadget. Examined means to look at something carefully. Things are objects that you can see or touch. Close by means near something. When you put it all together, "The machine's sensors examined things that were close by" means that the device was using its sensors to look at things that were near it.

Related Expressions