reach

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'reach' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb, a noun, and an adjective. Example sentence: I could barely reach the books on the top shelf.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The grievances aren't unreasonable, on either side, but the focus on fairness, by making it harder to reach any kind of agreement at all, could prove disastrous.

The New York Times

The strain is likely to grow more acute as the government depends on helicopter gunships to extend its reach to parts of the country rendered impassable to logistics convoys and even armored vehicles by the rebels' improvised bombs.

The New York Times

All correspondence should reach us by Wednesday morning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To be considered for publication on Saturday, emails should include a full postal address (not for publication), must reach us by midday on the preceding Tuesday and may be edited.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human rights organisations have raised fears that more migrants and refugees will die in their attempt to reach Europe from the north African coast.

The Guardian

All correspondence should reach us by Tuesday morning: email [email protected] (please don't send attachments) or write to Private Lives, The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Even as he was encouraging young people to reach for greater heights for themselves, he was working to attain his own educational goals," the school said.

The Guardian

Related: Museums at Night 2015 – a weekend of nocturnal activities "The idea has always been to get institutions to think about doing something different with their venues and different ways to attract audiences they wouldn't usually reach," said Nick Stockman, the festival campaign manager.

The Guardian

Hungary did not rack up the biggest win in World Cup history because El Salvador were the worst team ever to reach the finals; rather, they were the happy beneficiaries of a monumentally ill-conceived tactical plan.

The Guardian - Sport

Following three months of fruitless talks to reach a cash-for-reform deal with creditors, public finances have never been worse.

The Guardian

The highlight of its itinerary is an ascent of Mount Ramelau – the highest mountain in East Timor – timed so you will reach the summit for sunrise.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reach" in a sentence, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a physical action, an attempt to communicate, or the achievement of a goal. Clarity enhances effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "reach" without clearly stating what is being reached for, contacted, or achieved. For example, instead of saying "We need to reach," specify "We need to reach our sales target" or "We need to reach our customers."

Linguistic Context

The word "reach" functions primarily as a verb, indicating actions like extending, attaining, or communicating. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across various contexts, showcasing its capacity to denote both physical actions and abstract achievements. Examples include "reach for your dreams" and "reach an agreement."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reach" is a versatile word primarily used as a verb to express actions related to extending, attaining, or communicating. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives might be preferable in specific academic or professional settings. It's crucial to consider the object of "reach" to ensure clarity in communication. The phrase is undeniably a common one, widely used in modern English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attain

Focuses on achieving something, often after considerable effort.

achieve

Emphasizes the successful completion of a task or goal.

accomplish

Highlights the successful completion of something, often a complex task.

get to

Indicates arrival or making contact with someone or something.

get through to

Implies successfully communicating with someone, often overcoming barriers.

extend to

Highlights the act of stretching or expanding something, like influence or coverage.

make contact with

Specifically refers to establishing communication or connection with someone.

arrive at

Focuses on reaching a destination or conclusion.

get hold of

Emphasizes obtaining something or contacting someone.

progress to

Indicates movement towards a higher level or status.

FAQs

How can I use "reach" in a sentence?

You can use "reach" to describe a physical action (e.g., "I can't reach the top shelf"), communication (e.g., "I tried to reach him by phone"), or achieving a goal (e.g., "We hope to reach our fundraising target").

What are some alternatives to "reach" when describing communication?

When describing communication, you can use alternatives like "contact", "get in touch with", or "communicate with" depending on the specific context.

What can I say instead of "reach" when talking about achieving goals?

When talking about achieving goals, you can use alternatives such as "achieve", "attain", or "accomplish".

Is it always appropriate to use "reach" in formal writing?

While "reach" is generally acceptable, in formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "achieve" or "attain" for goals, and "contact" or "communicate with" for communication to maintain a professional tone.