approached him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approached him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of moving closer to someone, typically to speak or interact with them. Example: "As she saw him sitting alone at the café, she decided to take a deep breath and approached him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He approached him afterward.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Lenhart approached him.

The New York Times

We approached him.

The New York Times

Jah approached him.

The New Yorker

Vladimir approached him.

The New Yorker

She approached him.

The New York Times - Magazine

The man approached him, envious.

The New Yorker

The caddie master approached him.

The New York Times - Sports

A beggar approached him.

The New Yorker

Larry approached him.

The New York Times - Travel

I approached him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "approached him" to clearly indicate someone moved closer to another person, usually to speak or interact. It's a straightforward way to describe physical movement with intent.

Common error

Avoid using "approached him" when you mean simply 'saw' or 'noticed' him. "Approached" implies intent and movement, not just observation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approached him" functions as a verb phrase where "approached" is the main verb in the past tense and "him" is the direct object. It typically describes the action of someone moving closer to another person, often with a specific intention. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "approached him" is a versatile and commonly used expression that clearly conveys the action of moving closer to someone. As validated by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, make it a reliable choice for describing physical movement with intent. While alternatives like "went up to him" and "came up to him" exist, "approached him" remains a straightforward and effective way to describe such action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went up to him

Indicates a movement towards the person, often implying an intent to speak or interact.

came up to him

Similar to 'went up to him', but can also suggest a more casual or coincidental encounter.

moved toward him

Describes the action of advancing in his direction, often without specifying the reason.

advanced toward him

Suggests a more deliberate and possibly purposeful movement in his direction.

reached out to him

Implies an attempt to make contact, either physically or communicatively.

made contact with him

Focuses on the establishment of communication or physical interaction.

spoke to him

Highlights the act of verbal communication after getting near the person.

addressed him

Suggests a formal or direct manner of speaking to him.

accosted him

Implies a more forceful or confrontational approach.

solicited him

Indicates an approach with a request or offer.

FAQs

How can I use "approached him" in a sentence?

You can use "approached him" to describe someone moving closer to another person, often with the intention of speaking or interacting. For example: "She hesitated for a moment, then she "approached him" and asked for directions."

What are some alternatives to using "approached him"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "went up to him", "came up to him", or "moved toward him".

Is it correct to say "approached to him" instead of "approached him"?

No, "approached to him" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "approached him".

What's the difference between "approached him" and "reached out to him"?

"Approached him" typically implies physical movement closer to someone, while "reached out to him" suggests an attempt to make contact, either physically or communicatively, often without necessarily involving physical proximity.