do not reach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not reach" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are advising someone not to extend their hand or make an effort to attain something. Example: "Please do not reach for the top shelf without assistance, as it may be unsafe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Second, do not reach.

The New York Times - Sports

Cellular signals do not reach it.

The New York Times

Memoranda detailing company social events do not reach his desk.

The Economist

They do not reach the bottom of her leg.

The New York Times - Health

"Do not reach again, please," an officer said.

The Guardian

Temperatures normally do not reach that high until mid-June.

The Guardian

The catalysts do not reach equilibrium at these temperatures.

Applied Petrochemical Research

Do not reach for your check book in defeat.

Forbes

The same books, newspapers, pamphlets, speeches, do not reach them.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Many of the coefficients appearing in the tables still do not reach statistical significance.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

In only 3 cases out of 20, odds ratios do not reach significance.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to avoid a physical action, use "do not reach" to prevent accidents or unwanted interactions. For example, "Do not reach into the cage" is clearer than "Avoid reaching into the cage".

Common error

While "do not reach" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "cannot attain" or "does not achieve" in academic writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not reach" primarily functions as an imperative, used to issue a command or instruction. As Ludwig highlights, it's used in contexts where avoidance of a physical action is necessary. Examples include warnings against touching dangerous objects or instructions in specific procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do not reach" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative, according to Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to instruct someone to avoid a physical action, often to prevent accidents or unwanted interactions. While versatile, its register can vary from neutral in news contexts to potentially requiring more formal alternatives in academic or business settings. Ludwig's analysis shows its common usage in science and news, highlighting its wide applicability. When instructing someone to avoid a physical action, using "do not reach" helps to prevent misunderstandings or accidents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot reach

A more concise and direct synonym, expressing impossibility.

do not achieve

Focuses on the lack of accomplishment or attainment.

do not attain

Similar to "do not achieve" but may imply a higher level of aspiration or difficulty.

do not meet

Implies a failure to satisfy a requirement or standard.

fall short of

Emphasizes a failure to meet a specific target or expectation.

do not come up to

Indicates a failure to equal or match a certain level.

do not extend to

Indicates that something's influence or scope is limited.

do not get to

Suggests a lack of opportunity or permission.

do not access

Highlights the inability to gain entry or use of something.

stay away from

Focuses on deliberately avoiding something, often for safety or ethical reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "do not reach" in a sentence?

You can use "do not reach" to instruct someone to avoid extending their hand or attempting to grab something. For example, "Do not reach for that item, it is fragile."

What can I say instead of "do not reach"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot reach", "do not achieve", or "fall short of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "do not reach" or "cannot reach"?

"Do not reach" is an instruction or command, while "cannot reach" describes an inability. The choice depends on whether you're giving a directive or stating a limitation.

What's the difference between "do not reach" and "stay away from"?

"Do not reach" typically refers to a physical action of extending one's hand. "Stay away from" implies a broader avoidance, often due to danger or ethical concerns.