The cat scratched at the hole, but couldn't reach the mouse.

Meaning: The cat tried to use its claws to get the mouse through the hole, but it wasn't able to.

Choice of Words: Scratched means to make marks on a surface with sharp claws or nails. Couldn't is a contraction of could not, which means was unable to.

Alternative Expressions

The cat scratched at the hole, but couldn't reach the mouse.

Meaning: This sentence describes a cat trying to catch a mouse, but the mouse is hiding in a hole and the cat can't reach it.

Choice of Words: Scratched means to use sharp claws to make marks on something. Hole is an opening in something. Couldn't is a shortened version of the phrase "could not" which means that the cat was unable to do something. Reach means to touch or grab something with your hand or paws. Mouse is a small furry animal with a long tail.

The feline used its claws on the opening, but was unable to make contact with the rodent.

Meaning: This sentence is a more formal way of saying the same thing as the first sentence. It uses more complex words, but it still means that the cat was trying to catch the mouse, but couldn't reach it.

Choice of Words: Feline is a fancy word for a cat. Claws are the sharp nails on a cat's paws. Opening is another word for a hole. Unable means the same as "couldn't". Make contact means to touch something. Rodent is a general term for small furry animals like mice and rats.

The kitty clawed at the gap, but the tiny creature remained out of reach.

Meaning: This sentence is a more playful way of saying the same thing as the first two sentences. It uses more informal language and it makes the cat sound more like a cute little animal. But it still means that the cat was trying to catch the mouse, but couldn't reach it.

Choice of Words: Kitty is a cute way to say cat. Clawed is another word for scratched. Gap is another word for hole. Tiny means very small. Creature is a general word for an animal. Out of reach means that something is too far away to touch.

Related Expressions