could not be reached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not be reached" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something was not accessible or available for contact or communication. Example: "The customer service representative could not be reached during the holiday weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Minaya could not be reached.

The New York Times - Sports

Ferreri could not be reached.

The New York Times

Aitken could not be reached.

Independent

They could not be reached.

The New York Times

MyCashNow could not be reached for comment.

The New York Times

Vijay Patel could not be reached.

The New York Times

Ms. Hayne could not be reached.

The New York Times

A Pimco official could not be reached.

The New York Times

Mr. Maldonado could not be reached Wednesday.

The New York Times

Meadors could not be reached for comment.

The New York Times - Sports

His landlord could not be reached.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not be reached" in journalistic contexts, ensure that you have made reasonable attempts to contact the individual or entity. Document the attempts, including dates, times, and methods of contact, to demonstrate due diligence.

Common error

Avoid using "could not be reached by" when "could not be reached" is sufficient. The "by" phrase is often redundant and weakens the statement. For example, say "The representative could not be reached" instead of "The representative could not be reached by our team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not be reached" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject was the recipient of an action (being reached) that was unsuccessful. As Ludwig AI suggests, this is a common way to report a failure in establishing contact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could not be reached" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for indicating unsuccessful attempts at communication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, this phrase serves the purpose of conveying unavailability. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid redundancies and clearly document contact attempts when using it in professional settings. Alternatives such as "was unavailable" or "could not be contacted" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not able to be reached

A more verbose and formal version of the original phrase.

could not be contacted

Emphasizes the inability to establish contact.

was uncontactable

Highlights the state of being impossible to contact.

was unavailable

Focuses on the state of being not available at a specific time.

was not available for comment

Specifically related to not being available to provide a statement.

remained out of contact

Indicates a continued state of not being in communication.

could not get a hold of

More informal way of saying you were unable to reach someone.

failed to respond

Focuses on the lack of a response after an attempt to communicate.

could not be accessed

Suggests a barrier to accessing the person or information.

was out of touch

Suggests a disconnect and lack of communication.

FAQs

How can I use "could not be reached" in a sentence?

You can use "could not be reached" to indicate that someone or something was not accessible for contact or communication. For example: "The spokesperson "could not be reached" for comment before the deadline."

What does it mean when someone "could not be reached"?

It means that attempts to contact the person or entity were unsuccessful. It doesn't necessarily imply why they "could not be reached"; they may be unavailable, unwilling to respond, or the contact information may be outdated.

What are some alternatives to "could not be reached"?

Alternatives include "was unavailable", "could not be contacted", or "did not respond", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "could not be reached" or "was not able to be reached"?

"Could not be reached" is generally preferred as it is more concise and direct. "Was not able to be reached" is grammatically correct but can sound unnecessarily verbose.