be reached

USAGE SUMMARY

"be reached" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to express that something can or should be achieved or attained. Example: "The summit of the mountain can only be reached by experienced climbers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Minaya could not be reached.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Morrice couldn't be reached.

The New York Times

Ferreri could not be reached.

The New York Times

Aitken could not be reached.

Independent

They could not be reached.

The New York Times

Can he be reached?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Neither could be reached.

The New York Times

Neither family could be reached on Sunday.

The New York Times

How can that goal be reached?

The New York Times

MyCashNow could not be reached for comment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She can be reached at P.O.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When stating the phrase “be reached” in the passive voice, ensure that the agent performing the action is clearly identified or implied for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be reached" in active voice constructions. It's typically used in passive voice. For example, prefer "The manager can be reached at this number" over "You can be reached the manager at this number".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be reached" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that someone or something is in a state of being accessible or contactable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be reached" is a grammatically sound and widely used passive verb construction that indicates accessibility or the possibility of making contact. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. Common alternatives include "be contacted" and "be accessible", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using "be reached", ensure it's in the passive voice to avoid grammatical errors. Its frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC underscore its reliability and widespread acceptance in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be contacted

Focuses more on the act of initiating communication.

be accessible

Emphasizes the ease of reaching or communicating with someone or something.

be attained

Highlights the achievement aspect, implying that effort might be needed.

be achieved

Similar to 'be attained', but often used for goals or objectives.

be gotten ahold of

More informal, suggesting a successful attempt to make contact.

be gotten in touch with

Similar to "be contacted" but slightly more conversational.

be communicated with

Highlights the exchange of information.

be made available

Implies resources or opportunities that can be obtained.

be realized

Focuses on the fulfillment or materialization of something.

be fulfilled

Emphasizes the completion or satisfaction of a requirement or goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "be reached" to indicate someone or something is accessible. For instance, "The customer service department can "be reached" via email or phone".

What's the difference between "be reached" and "be contacted"?

"Be reached" implies accessibility or availability, while "be contacted" focuses on the act of initiating communication. You can "be contacted" by sending an email, but you can "be reached" at the office.

Which is correct, "can be reached" or "can reached"?

"Can be reached" is the correct form because it follows the structure of a passive construction with a modal verb. "Can reached" is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "be reached" when referring to a goal?

When referring to goals, alternatives to "be reached" include "be attained", "be achieved", or "be realized". For example, "The sales target can be achieved with diligent effort".