You can switch objects on and off or just switch them.
If the object is scripted to react, it will, otherwise its is just an action you perform.
switch on the light switch the cards
This is similar to: read the command called use read the command called play read the command called pat
Scripting note You can actually do strange things like: switch ding the light
In which case you could script a light to: if target of switchding then ...
This would allow you to script your objects to react to special commands only you know.
However, the standard set of reactions you would normally use are on, off and blank eg: if target of switch then toggleme; if target of switchon then turnmeon; if target of switchoff then turnmeoff;