I would have reached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I would have reached" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation in the past where the speaker did not actually reach a destination or goal but believes they would have under different circumstances. Example: "If I had left earlier, I would have reached the airport on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This isn't a conclusion I would have reached myself.

The Guardian - Books

Had security not been nearby, I would have reached up and tenderly stroked her cheek.

The New York Times

I don't believe I would have reached these readers if I'd never discovered self-publishing.

The Guardian - Books

"In 10 years I would have reached a point where my whole repertory would have been overplayed and understudied.

The New York Times - Arts

I suspect the quality of my work rises and falls with my mood, but without writing through the darkness, I doubt I would have reached the light.

The New York Times

A few years ago, I would have reached for a Dos Equis, but for my money, the blanc de noirs, with its toasty aroma and juicy fruit, brought a lot more to the party.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I don't think anyone would have thought it would have reached the heights of where it is today.

Huffington Post

On the other hand, maybe without people enabling me with their unconditional love I would've reached a "bottom," and realized that my life isn't a game to be gambled on.

Vice

But I needed to go back the way I had come, she said, past the stud with stone-carved horses at its gate, and then I really would have reached my destination.

The Guardian

If not for Spain, I never would have reached this podium or become a known writer".

Wikipedia

I wish he would have reached out, that someone would have told him it gets better.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I would have reached" to express a hypothetical past action or situation, indicating what you believe would have happened under different circumstances. Ensure the sentence provides context to what would have been reached.

Common error

Avoid using "I would have reached" when describing a current or future action. This phrase is specifically for hypothetical past scenarios, not present possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I would have reached" functions as a modal verb construction expressing a hypothetical outcome in the past. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates a situation that could have occurred under different circumstances, but ultimately did not. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I would have reached" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to express hypothetical past outcomes. As verified by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. It indicates what the speaker believes could have happened if circumstances had been different. Common alternative phrases include "I would have arrived", "I would have attained", and "I would have achieved", each with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure that the tense is used correctly to refer to a hypothetical past event, and avoid misusing it for current or future situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I would have arrived

Focuses specifically on arrival, a type of reaching.

I would have attained

Emphasizes the achievement aspect of reaching a goal.

I would have achieved

Highlights successful completion or accomplishment.

I would have made it

More informal, but conveys reaching a destination or goal.

I would have gotten there

A general way of saying reaching a place.

I would have succeeded in reaching

Emphasizes success in achieving the reach.

I would have progressed to

Focuses on advancing or moving forward to a certain point.

I would have advanced to

Similar to progressing, but with a slightly stronger sense of forward movement.

I would have culminated in

Implies reaching a final stage or result.

I would have finalized

Focuses on the action of getting to the final result.

FAQs

How can I use "I would have reached" in a sentence?

Use "I would have reached" to describe a past outcome that didn't happen, but you believe would have if conditions were different. For example, "If I had taken the earlier train, "I would have reached" the meeting on time".

What's a more formal way to say "I would have reached"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "I would have attained", "I would have achieved", or "I would have successfully arrived at" for similar meanings, depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "I would have reached" and "I could have reached"?

"I would have reached" implies a higher degree of certainty given a specific condition, while "I could have reached" suggests possibility, but not necessarily certainty. "I could have reached" the summit, but I didn't prepare enough.

Is it correct to say "I would of reached" instead of "I would have reached"?

No, "I would of reached" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I would have reached". The contraction "would've" can be used instead of "would have", but never "would of".