he is reaching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is reaching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone extending their arm or hand towards something, or metaphorically, to indicate that someone is trying to achieve or obtain something that may be difficult to grasp. Example: "As he is reaching for the top shelf, he realizes he might need a step stool."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Now he is reaching out to his supporters.

The New York Times

He is reaching out aggressively to Latino voters.

The New York Times

To give that sensibility a vigorous restart, he is reaching both backward and forward for inspiration.

The New York Times - Food

He is reaching into a jar of water, in which swim 20 or so leeches.

The New York Times

Platini is at the heart of Europe, but he is reaching far.

The New York Times - Sports

But there he is, reaching right out and touching our hearts.

The New York Times

To Corbyn's team the result showed that he is reaching out to natural Labour voters.

The Guardian

"The biggest harm he is doing to the country is the way he is reaching power".

The New York Times

With his left hand, he is reaching through a window; in his right hand is a black semiautomatic assault rifle.

The New York Times

It is no surprise that he is reaching out to moderate Tories, as he did in Sunday's Observer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Keeping himself mentally clear is another reason why Allen feels he is reaching a peak right now.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is reaching" when describing a physical action of extending an arm or hand, or a metaphorical action of trying to achieve something. Context is important for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "he is reaching" in overly abstract or vague contexts where a more specific verb would provide greater clarity. Instead of saying "he is reaching for understanding", consider a stronger verb like "he is seeking understanding" or "he is pursuing understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is reaching" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating an action in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage. It describes someone physically extending, striving, or aiming toward something, as shown in many of Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is reaching" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes an ongoing action of extending, striving, or progressing towards a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can be used both literally and metaphorically and its usage is generally neutral. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it's important to choose more specific verbs in overly abstract situations to ensure clarity. Understanding these nuances will help you employ "he is reaching" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is aiming for

Stresses the target or objective.

he's attempting to achieve

Focuses on the attempt or effort being made.

he is striving to attain

Emphasizes effort and the goal of attainment.

he is getting closer to

Emphasizes the proximity to a target.

he is endeavoring to reach

Emphasizes the effort put into the reaching action.

he is making contact with

Highlights the action of establishing communication or connection.

he is on the verge of

Highlights being close to a specific condition or achievement.

he is extending his reach

Highlights the action of expanding influence or capability.

he is stretching toward

Implies a physical or metaphorical extension.

he is drawing near to

Focuses on the gradual approach.

FAQs

How can I use "he is reaching" in a sentence?

You can use "he is reaching" to describe a physical action, like "He is reaching for the book on the shelf", or a metaphorical effort, such as "He is reaching out to new customers with this campaign".

What are some alternatives to "he is reaching"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "he is attempting to achieve", "he is aiming for", or "he is striving to attain".

Is it correct to say "he is reaching out"?

Yes, "he is reaching out" is a common and correct idiom that means he is making an effort to communicate or connect with someone.

What's the difference between "he is reaching" and "he is arriving"?

"He is reaching" implies an ongoing effort or movement towards something, while "he is arriving" ("he is arriving") suggests the completion of that movement or effort.