a wave reached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave reached" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the arrival or impact of a wave, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "As the tide came in, a wave reached the shore, crashing against the rocks with a thunderous roar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He turned his back to run, and a wave reached his shoulders, swept over his head.

The New Yorker

Sometimes, there were almost disastrous consequences; Mr O'Driscoll remembers a storm in 1985 when a wave reached as high as the light and came crashing through the glass, overturning the vat of mercury and sending the poisonous liquid pouring down the stairs.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Everything seemed like ancient history to them, but the thought of a wave reaching so high over the homes of my friends sent a chill down my spine, and I began to investigate the region's history.

The New York Times

The claim of a 270-meter run up, which is a measure of the elevation above sea level a wave reaches on shore, is "certainly possible," says James Goff, a paleotsunami expert at University of New South Wales, Sydney, in Australia.

Science Magazine

After completion of the second telogen, which can last up to thirty days, the coat begins to grow asynchronously in complex domains created by waves of anagen moving through the domain until a wave reaches "refractory" telogen, an area of skin unresponsive to the propagating anagen stimulus.

Aging

A huge wave reached a populated area in the Robinson Crusoe Islands, off the Chilean coast, and warnings of tidal waves were issued in 53 other countries.

The Guardian

On October 4, a tropical wave reached the same area, and the system spawned a circulation center over Belize.

Wikipedia

A broad area of low pressure formed over the western Caribbean Sea on October 8, and it persisted until October 11, when a tropical wave reached the area and caused the convection to organize, resulting in the development of a low-level circulation.

Wikipedia

C1 NEW YORK/REGION B1-8 RecorDrainin on Power On Hottest Day of the Year A five-day August heat wave reached a withering peak across a wide swath of the Northeast as temperatures soared to 105 in Newark, 103 in New York City and 100 or more in many cities, shattering records and straining power supplies on the hottest day of the year.

The New York Times

A five-day August heat wave reached a withering peak across a wide swath of the Northeast yesterday as temperatures soared to 103 in New York City, 105 in Newark and 100 or more in many cities, shattering records and straining power supplies across the region on the hottest day of the year.

The New York Times

Convection increased and became better organized as a weak tropical wave reached the area, and it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Twenty at around 1200 UTC on December 4 while located about 345 miles (560 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica; initially, the depression was forecast to track north-northeastward and pass over western Haiti.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a literal wave, ensure you provide context about its size, impact, or consequences for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave reached" repeatedly in metaphorical contexts within the same piece of writing. Vary your language to prevent redundancy and maintain reader engagement. For example, switch between phrases like "a surge of emotion swept over" and "a tide of change enveloped" to enrich your prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave reached" functions primarily as a descriptive element, often depicting the action of a wave impacting a specific location or object. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable. Examples show its utility in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a wave reached" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as verified by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe the arrival or impact of a wave, be it literal or metaphorical. The phrase appears frequently in contexts such as news, science, and wiki articles, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While effective, it's advisable to vary your language, especially in metaphorical contexts, to avoid repetition. Consider alternatives like "the wave arrived" or "the wave hit" to enhance the richness of your writing. Remember to contextualize the phrase with details about the wave's characteristics for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the wave arrived

Replaces "reached" with "arrived", focusing on the arrival of the wave.

the wave hit

Substitutes "reached" with "hit", emphasizing the impact of the wave.

the wave impacted

Replaces "reached" with "impacted", highlighting the effect of the wave.

the wave extended to

Changes "reached" to "extended to", indicating the distance covered by the wave.

the wave propagated to

Uses "propagated to" instead of "reached", emphasizing the wave's movement and spread.

the wave made its way to

Replaces "reached" with a more descriptive phrase, focusing on the wave's journey.

the wave surged to

Substitutes "reached" with "surged to", stressing the forceful movement of the wave.

the wave spread to

Replaces "reached" with "spread to", emphasizing the distribution of the wave's effect.

the wave advanced to

Uses "advanced to" instead of "reached", highlighting the forward movement of the wave.

the wave washed over

Replaces "reached" with "washed over", focusing on the wave's action of covering something.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave reached" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave reached" to describe a literal wave impacting something, such as "a wave reached the shore". It can also be used metaphorically, like "a wave of enthusiasm reached the crowd".

What are some alternatives to "a wave reached"?

Some alternatives include "the wave arrived", "the wave hit", or "the wave impacted", depending on the specific context you're using it in.

Is it correct to say "a wave reached to" instead of "a wave reached"?

While not inherently incorrect, "a wave reached" is more direct and commonly used. Adding "to" can sometimes make the sentence sound awkward, unless you're specifying a target, such as "the wave reached to the top of the cliff".

What is the difference between "a wave reached" and "waves reached"?

"A wave reached" refers to a single wave, whereas "waves reached" indicates multiple waves. The choice depends on whether you're describing a single event or a series of occurrences.