grabbed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grabbed for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of reaching out to take or obtain something, often in a hurried or desperate manner. Example: "In a moment of panic, she grabbed for her phone to call for help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hands grabbed for the body.

The New York Times - Magazine

He grabbed for the gunwales.

The New York Times

He grabbed for the edge.

The New Yorker

"They just grabbed for power," he said.

The Guardian

Woozy, I grabbed for a chair.

The Washington Post

Lucille Palmer, 85, grabbed for her pocketbook.

The New York Times

When they'd finished eating, Sterne grabbed for the bill.

The New Yorker

Last week, Gov. Gray Davis grabbed for instant relief.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Grab for gold, suffer catastrophic health consequences.

The New York Times - Arts

The commander then grabs for the man.

The New York Times

Now they are grabbing for the microphone.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grabbed for" to convey a sense of urgency or desperation in reaching for something. This implies the action is quick and potentially forceful.

Common error

Avoid using "grabbed for" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "reached for" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grabbed for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of reaching or attempting to seize something. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts ranging from physical attempts to grasp objects to metaphorical attempts to gain power or advantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grabbed for" is a grammatically sound and very common verb phrase used to describe the action of reaching for something, often with a sense of urgency or intent. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is used correctly across a wide range of contexts. Although versatile, it's most frequently found in news and media sources. While generally neutral in register, be mindful of more precise or formal alternatives like "reached for" in academic or scientific contexts. Use "grabbed for" to add emphasis to the speed and purpose behind the act of reaching.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reached for

Replaces "grabbed" with a more general term for extending one's hand.

lunged for

Emphasizes a sudden, forceful attempt to reach something.

reached out to seize

More formal; highlights the intention of taking hold.

made a grab at

Indicates an attempt, which may or may not be successful, to grasp something quickly.

tried to seize

Highlights the effort made to take hold of something.

sought to acquire

Focuses on the goal of gaining possession, often in a less physical sense.

aimed to secure

Implies a deliberate effort to ensure possession or control.

vied for

Describes competing with others to obtain something.

competed for

Similar to "vied for", but emphasizes the competitive aspect.

maneuvered to obtain

Suggests strategic actions taken to gain something, not necessarily physical.

FAQs

How can I use "grabbed for" in a sentence?

You can use "grabbed for" to describe someone quickly reaching to take something, like: "The child "grabbed for" the toy."

What are some alternatives to "grabbed for"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives such as "reached for", "lunged for", or "tried to seize" instead of "grabbed for".

Is there a difference between "grabbed for" and "reached for"?

"Grabbed for" suggests a quicker, more urgent action, while "reached for" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply the same level of haste or desperation.

When is it appropriate to use "grabbed for"?

It's appropriate to use "grabbed for" when you want to emphasize the speed and intent behind the action of reaching for something, often implying a sense of urgency or need.