One night, he saw a shooting star and made a wish.

Meaning: This sentence introduces the main event of the story, Ethan's wish upon a shooting star.

Choice of Words: One means a single or particular thing or person. Night is the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise. Saw means observed or became aware of something through sight. Shooting star is a meteor that appears as a streak of light in the sky. Made a wish means expressed a desire or hope for something.

Alternative Expressions

He spotted a meteor streaking across the sky and wished upon it.

Meaning: This sentence describes the same event as the first sentence, but uses different words to convey the same meaning.

Choice of Words: Spotted means to notice or see something. Meteor is a small rocky or metallic object that enters the Earth's atmosphere and becomes visible as a streak of light. Streaking means moving quickly and leaving a trail behind. Across means from one side to the other. Sky refers to the space above the Earth. Wished is the past tense of the verb wish, which means to desire or hope for something. Upon means on or above something.

During the nighttime hours, he observed a celestial body hurtling through the atmosphere and expressed his heartfelt desire.

Meaning: This sentence uses more formal language to convey the same meaning as the first two sentences.

Choice of Words: During means at a specific time or period. Nighttime hours refers to the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise. Observed means to watch or notice something. Celestial body is a general term for any object in space, such as a star, planet, or meteor. Hurtling means moving very quickly. Atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth. Expressed is the past tense of the verb express, which means to make known your thoughts or feelings. Heartfelt desire refers to a deep and sincere wish.

Related Expressions