not within reach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not within reach" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is physically or metaphorically inaccessible or unattainable. Example: "The solution to the problem seemed to be not within reach, leaving the team feeling frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Jojo likes Brittany, who is white, but despite that is not within reach of Mrs. Bojanowski's approval.

The New York Times - Arts

People from all over the world have organised this - and it gives an opportunity for people who are not within reach of a rising event to come and join in.

The Guardian

A political decision to approve this, which will involve haggling over where revenues from the trading scheme go, is probably not within reach until the Danes take the EU's rotating presidency in 2012.

The Economist

Following this initial acquisition phase, however, none of the students would locate their VOCA when it was not within reach.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

However, graphene also suffers from a severe drawback: it is gapless, implying that a graphene based field-effect transistor is not within reach.

Nano Today

Most of the SBD approaches investigated here were able to provide qualitative guidance, but quantitative accuracy as well as decisive discrimination between [in]actives is still not within reach.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

If the husband's not within reaching distance that's fine too.

Vice

Affordable, large-scale production wasn't within reach.

Forbes

He would cry in the corner and hit himself or look right through me like I wasn't within reach.

Huffington Post

But physicians with specialized geriatric training are in short supply and thus aren't within reach of retirees with modest resources.

Huffington Post

If not for Kiwanis International, we would not be within reach.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or goals, pair "not within reach" with specific reasons for the inaccessibility, providing context and clarity to the statement.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "not within reach" in very casual conversations may sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "unavailable" or "impossible" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not within reach" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is unattainable or inaccessible. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing goals, objects, or even therapeutic drugs that are currently impossible to obtain.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

45%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not within reach" is a grammatically correct way to express that something is inaccessible or unattainable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though it may sound slightly formal in very casual settings. Common alternatives include "unattainable" and "out of reach". When using the phrase, provide context to clarify why something is not accessible. While versatile, remember to consider your audience and choose the most appropriate level of formality for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of reach

This alternative is a more common and direct synonym, emphasizing a lack of ability to obtain or achieve.

beyond reach

This alternative highlights that something is further away and more difficult to attain.

unattainable

This alternative is a single word expressing the state of being impossible to achieve.

inaccessible

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty or impossibility of reaching or entering something, either physically or metaphorically.

not achievable

This alternative underscores the impossibility of accomplishing a goal or task.

beyond one's grasp

This alternative suggests something is unobtainable due to limitations or circumstances.

not feasible

This alternative focuses on the practicality and possibility of achieving something.

impossible to obtain

This alternative explicitly states the impossibility of acquiring something.

not a possibility

This alternative conveys that something is not an option or cannot happen.

out of the question

This alternative indicates something is completely unacceptable or impossible.

FAQs

What does "not within reach" mean?

The phrase "not within reach" means something is inaccessible or unattainable, either physically or metaphorically. It suggests that achieving a goal or obtaining an object is currently impossible.

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

You can use "not within reach" to describe unattainable goals, such as: "Achieving world peace seems "unattainable" or to describe physical inaccessibility, such as: "The top shelf was "out of reach".

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

You can use alternatives like "unattainable", "inaccessible", or "out of reach" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "out of reach" or "not within reach"?

Both "out of reach" and "not within reach" are grammatically correct. "Out of reach" is more common and generally considered more concise. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.