be reached for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be reached for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something or someone is available to be contacted or accessed. Example: "If you have any questions, I can be reached for assistance via email."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MyCashNow could not be reached for comment.

The New York Times

Meadors could not be reached for comment.

The New York Times - Sports

(Edwards could not be reached for comment).

The New Yorker

Cascade could not be reached for comment.

Independent

Hamza could not be reached for comment.

The New Yorker

Neither woman could be reached for comment.

The New York Times

Perupetro could not be reached for comment.

The Guardian

She could not be reached for comment.

The New York Times

(Abramson could not be reached for comment).

The New Yorker

ITM could not be reached for comment.

The New York Times

(Boisseau could not be reached for comment).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be reached for" when you want to indicate that a person or organization is available for inquiries, comments, or assistance. For example, "The company could not be reached for comment after the announcement."

Common error

While "be reached for" is a valid passive construction, be mindful of overusing passive voice in your writing. Opt for active voice when possible to make your sentences more direct and engaging. Instead of "The decision could not be reached for a conclusion", consider "The committee could not reach a conclusion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be reached for" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of an action, in this case, being contacted. Ludwig AI shows it's commonly used when reporting that attempts to get in touch with someone have failed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be reached for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used primarily in news and media contexts to indicate that an individual or organization was unavailable for comment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the inability to establish contact. While appropriate for formal writing, being aware of active voice alternatives can improve sentence directness. When using this phrase, remember that alternatives such as "be contacted for" or "could not be reached" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be contacted for

Focuses more directly on the act of contacting, implying a deliberate action to get in touch.

be available for contact

Emphasizes the state of being accessible and ready to be contacted.

be accessible for

Highlights the ease and possibility of reaching someone or something.

can be gotten in touch with

A more informal way of saying that someone is available for communication.

be open to communication

Suggests a willingness to engage in dialogue or conversation.

be available to speak with

Specifically refers to the possibility of having a conversation.

be obtainable for

Implies that something is able to be acquired or reached.

be on hand for

Indicates readiness and presence to assist or communicate.

be within reach for

Conveys the idea that someone or something is conveniently accessible.

can be found at

Specifies a location or method where someone or something can be located.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be reached for" to sound more active?

To make the sentence more active, consider using phrases like "contact", "get in touch with", or "reach out to". For instance, instead of "They could not be reached for comment", try "They could not be contacted for comment" or "Reporters were unable to "reach out to" them for comment".

What does it mean when someone says they could not be reached for comment?

It typically means that attempts to contact the person or organization for their opinion or statement on a particular matter were unsuccessful. It doesn't necessarily imply unwillingness to comment, just that they were unavailable.

Is it appropriate to use "be reached for" in formal writing?

Yes, "be reached for" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports or official statements. However, consider the overall tone and context of your writing. In some cases, a more direct phrase might be preferable.

What are some alternatives to "be reached for" that maintain a similar level of formality?

Alternatives such as "be contacted for", "be available for comment", or "be accessible for inquiries" offer similar levels of formality while conveying the same basic meaning. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.