reach a target

USAGE SUMMARY

"reach a target" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about achieving a goal. For example, "The company set out to reach its yearly sales target of $1 million."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The goal was to try to reach a target person in Boston.

The New York Times - Tech

It remains unclear how Australia will reach a target to reduce emissions by 5% by 2020.

The Guardian

An example: advertising yourself differently to reach a target audience; creative industries do that all the time".

The Guardian

Yorkshire slipped to their fourth defeat in five matches after failing to reach a target of 209 at Kent.

The Guardian - Sport

For example, one way to reach a target is to find the shortest route across the network.

MIT Technology Review

With this knowledge, I can strategically deploy Rangers to intercept poachers before they reach a target animal.

The Washington Post

Its operators plan to invest $500m to reach a target of 5m containers a year by 2020.

The Economist

An objective function, min[f(∑i ΔkFA−Δki))], enables a final loading pattern to reach a target CBC.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

They investigated how subjects learned to adapt their movements to reach a target in a similar manner as before the perturbations.

Harvard University

We trained our model using spike-timing-dependent reinforcement learning to control a virtual musculoskeletal human arm, with realistic anatomical and biomechanical properties, to reach a target.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The department said it hoped the move would allow the island to reach a target of 50% recycling.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about strategic objectives, use "reach a target" to clearly communicate the intended outcome of specific actions or initiatives.

Common error

Avoid using overly general phrases like "make progress" when the specific intention is to "reach a target". Clarity enhances the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach a target" functions as a verb phrase, where "reach" is the main verb indicating the action of attaining, and "target" is the object representing the goal. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reach a target" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express the successful achievement of a defined objective. Ludwig AI highlights its presence across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, with a neutral register. To enhance your writing, remember that while alternatives like "achieve an objective" exist, "reach a target" offers a clear and widely understood way to communicate goal attainment. Avoid vagueness by using this precise term when specific targets are in sight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve an objective

Replaces "reach" with "achieve" and "target" with "objective", offering a more formal tone.

accomplish a goal

Substitutes "reach" with "accomplish" and "target" with "goal", emphasizing successful completion.

attain a desired outcome

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "reach" and "target" with "attain" and "desired outcome".

realize an aim

Replaces "reach" with "realize" and "target" with "aim", suggesting making something a reality.

meet a quota

Focuses specifically on fulfilling a predetermined quantity or standard.

fulfill an ambition

Highlights the completion of a long-term aspiration or personal goal.

hit a benchmark

Implies surpassing a defined level of performance, often in business or sports.

arrive at a destination

Uses a more literal interpretation of the word reach indicating the end of a journey.

finalize a deal

Implies the success conclusion of an agreement.

conclude a project

Indicates the successful execution of a project with its finalization.

FAQs

How can I use "reach a target" in a sentence?

You can use "reach a target" when you want to express the achievement of a specific goal. For example, "The company aims to "reach a target" of 1 million sales this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "reach a target"?

Alternatives include "achieve an objective", "accomplish a goal", or "attain a desired outcome". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "reach a target" or "achieve a target"?

Both "reach a target" and "achieve a target" are correct. However, "achieve a target" might be considered slightly more formal, while "reach a target" is more commonly used in everyday language.

What's the difference between "reach a target" and "meet a quota"?

"Reach a target" is a general term for achieving a goal. "Meet a quota" refers specifically to reaching a pre-set numerical goal or requirement. For example the expression "meet a quota" indicates the fulfillment of a predetermined quantity or standard.