reach him

USAGE SUMMARY

'reach him' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's ability to contact or locate someone else. For example: "I wanted to reach him, but he had already gone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I cannot reach him.

The New York Times - Sports

We couldn't reach him.

The New Yorker

No one could reach him.

The New Yorker

I couldn't reach him anymore.

The New Yorker

You can't reach him".

The New York Times

I was starting to reach him.

The New Yorker

They were unable to reach him.

The New Yorker

First team to reach him gets it.

The New York Times - Arts

Attempts to reach him were not successful.

The New York Times

"Retribution will reach him sooner or later".

The New York Times

You have to try to reach him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether "reach him" refers to physical proximity, communication, or influence.

Common error

Avoid using "reach him" when you actually mean "teach him" or "preach to him". The phrase "reach him" primarily refers to contacting or influencing someone, not instructing or lecturing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach him" functions primarily as a transitive verb phrase, where "reach" is the verb and "him" is the direct object. It describes the action of making contact with someone or influencing them. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it indicates the ability or attempt to communicate or connect with the person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reach him" is a common phrase used to describe the act of contacting or influencing someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and grammatically correct phrase, frequently appearing in news and media, and also used in formal and informal contexts. It's important to consider the context when using this phrase to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning, whether it's about making contact, influencing, or affecting someone. Common alternatives include phrases like "contact him" or "get in touch with him".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contact him

This is a more direct and common synonym for "reach him", focusing on initiating communication.

be able to contact him

This is a more verbose, yet functionally equivalent, way of stating the ability to connect.

get in touch with him

This alternative emphasizes establishing communication with the person.

make contact with him

This phrase is slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of establishing communication.

communicate with him

This focuses on the exchange of information rather than just the act of contacting.

get ahold of him

This alternative is more informal and colloquial, suggesting a determined effort to connect.

get through to him

This alternative implies overcoming a barrier to communicate effectively or make someone understand.

find him

This alternative suggests locating someone who might be missing or difficult to find.

influence him

This moves beyond simple contact to suggest persuading or affecting the person.

have an effect on him

This focuses on the impact or consequence of something on the person.

FAQs

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

You can use "reach him" to describe an attempt to contact someone, as in "I tried to reach him by phone, but he didn't answer". It can also refer to influencing someone, such as "The therapist hoped to reach him on an emotional level".

What is a good alternative to "reach him"?

Alternatives to "reach him" include "contact him", "get in touch with him", or "get a hold of him", depending on the level of formality and context.

Is it correct to say "reaching to him" instead of "reach him"?

While "reaching to him" might be grammatically understandable, it's not as common or natural as "reach him". "Reach him" is generally preferred for its directness and clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "reach him" instead of "contact him"?

"Reach him" and "contact him" are often interchangeable. However, "reach him" can sometimes imply a greater effort or a more profound connection than simply "contact him". For example, trying to emotionally "reach him" suggests more than just contacting him.