reach adulthood

USAGE SUMMARY

'reach adulthood' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the state of a person being an adult, as in they have developed or matured beyond adolescence. Example: She was so happy to finally reach adulthood and gain independence from her parents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Many affected children don't reach adulthood.

The Guardian

Many people are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood.

The Guardian

Doctors said she might not even reach adulthood.

The Guardian

No one who is honest can reach adulthood without "a certain void".

The New York Times

More than two-thirds of Angolan children reach adulthood with four years of schooling or less.

The New York Times

On mainland New Zealand, kiwi chicks rarely reach adulthood owing to predation by invasive mammals.

The Guardian

But what about in 10 or 20 years, when today's children reach adulthood?

The Guardian - Tech

Treasured moments to a father who knows he will not see his son reach adulthood.

The Guardian - Books

Why should we expect less of our relationships once we reach adulthood?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most of the natives leave when they reach adulthood, and are replaced by newcomers.

The New York Times - Books

Many times, the people do not learn of the defects until they reach adulthood.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reach adulthood" when you want to emphasize the completion of a developmental stage or the attainment of adult status. It's suitable for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "reach adulthood" when describing situations where individuals are forced to take on adult responsibilities before they are emotionally or psychologically ready. In such cases, consider phrases like "forced into adulthood" or "growing up too fast."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach adulthood" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used with a subject to describe the process of maturing and transitioning into the state of being an adult. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

34%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reach adulthood" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the transition from childhood to adulthood. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It appears frequently in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Scientific publications, with a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While alternatives like "come of age" or "enter adulthood" exist, "reach adulthood" is a versatile and widely understood expression. Be mindful of contexts where premature assumption of adult roles is discussed, as different phrasing may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come of age

This alternative focuses on the attainment of legal rights and responsibilities associated with adulthood.

enter adulthood

This alternative focuses on the action of beginning the adult stage of life.

mature into adulthood

This suggests a gradual development and transition towards adulthood.

transition to adulthood

This emphasizes the process of changing from adolescence to adulthood.

grow into an adult

This focuses on the gradual process of becoming an adult.

achieve maturity

This alternative emphasizes the state of being fully developed and mature.

become an adult

This is a more direct and simple way of stating the transition to adulthood.

develop into adulthood

This highlights the developmental aspect of becoming an adult.

make it to adulthood

This option emphasizes survival or overcoming challenges to become an adult.

live to be an adult

This suggests the experience of living long enough to reach adulthood.

FAQs

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

You can use "reach adulthood" to describe the point when someone becomes an adult. For example, "Many children with chronic illnesses don't "reach adulthood"".

What are some alternatives to saying "reach adulthood"?

Alternatives to "reach adulthood" include "come of age", "enter adulthood", or "mature into adulthood", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "reach adulthood" or "achieve adulthood"?

"Reach adulthood" is generally more common and natural-sounding. "Achieve adulthood" can sound slightly formal, implying that adulthood is a goal to be achieved, rather than a natural stage of life. Both are grammatically correct, but their usage varies based on context.

What's the difference between "reach adulthood" and "survive to adulthood"?

"Reach adulthood" simply indicates the attainment of adulthood. "Survive to adulthood" implies overcoming challenges or difficulties to reach that stage, often suggesting a situation where survival was not guaranteed.