I reached him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I reached him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to successfully contacting or communicating with someone, often by phone or message. Example: "After several attempts, I finally reached him and we discussed the project details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

When I reached him by phone, he seemed nervous.

The New Yorker

I reached him at his farm last night.

The New York Times

I reached him at about 3 P.M., and he said tomorrow morning might be too late.

The New Yorker

This afternoon, I reached him in Port-au-Prince by text message.

The New Yorker

"There's no question we have considerable up-selling in the industry," Ray told me when I reached him by phone.

The New Yorker

Malcolm Gladwell, a noted and talented endorser, pointed out this self-­aggrandizing side of blurbing when I reached him.

The New York Times - Books

I'm going down there tonight," Kudlow told me when I reached him by phone on Wednesday.

The New Yorker

But by the time I reached him, the playfulness was gone".

The Guardian

When I reached him in England, I asked if he could tell me about tortoni's history.

The New York Times

"The impacts are subtle," Goolsby acknowledged when I reached him by phone.

The New Yorker

Had I reached him in time, he could have arranged a simple jump-start.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I reached him", consider specifying the method of contact (e.g., "I reached him by phone") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "I reached him" when a more direct, active voice would be clearer. For example, instead of "He was reached by me", use "I reached him."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I reached him" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that the speaker successfully made contact with another person. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase often introduces details about the communication or the person contacted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I reached him" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that you have successfully contacted someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives like "I contacted him" in professional settings. When using the phrase, clarify the method of contact for enhanced clarity. Be mindful of overuse and consider active voice constructions where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I got ahold of him

Emphasizes obtaining contact after some effort.

I contacted him

A more formal and direct way of saying the same thing.

I got in touch with him

Indicates establishing communication.

I made contact with him

Highlights the act of establishing communication.

I communicated with him

Focuses on the exchange of information.

I spoke to him

Specifies verbal communication.

I managed to contact him

Suggests overcoming difficulties in establishing contact.

I connected with him

Implies establishing a connection, either physically or virtually.

I found him

Emphasizes locating someone, which then leads to contact.

I tracked him down

Suggests persistence in locating and contacting someone.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I reached him"?

You can use alternatives like "I contacted him", "I got in touch with him", or "I spoke to him" depending on the context.

How do I use "I reached him" in a sentence?

"I reached him" is typically followed by details about the communication or the person's reaction. For example, "I reached him by phone, and he seemed nervous".

Is "I reached him" formal or informal?

"I reached him" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "I contacted him" might be preferred in professional settings.

What's the difference between "I reached him" and "I got ahold of him"?

"I reached him" is a straightforward statement of contact. "I got ahold of him" implies that some effort was required to establish contact.