reach out

USAGE SUMMARY

"reach out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to mean taking the initiative to get in contact with someone or to offer help or assistance. For example, "I'm trying to reach out to the local homeless community and see how I can help them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Reach out again.

The New York Times

Reach out over LinkedIn.

The New York Times

"We reach out, sure".

The New York Times

Reach out to recruiters.

The New York Times

Just reach out.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Reach out and try.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Reaching out".

The New York Times

She reached out to him.

The New York Times

Neither reaches out to citizens.

The New York Times

"They reached out for me.

The New Yorker

"But this reached out".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reach out" when you want to emphasize the act of initiating communication, especially when offering help or support.

Common error

While "reach out" is versatile, avoid overusing it. Vary your language with alternatives like "contact", "connect", or "get in touch" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "reach out" functions as a verb of communication or assistance. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used to describe initiating contact with someone, often with the intention of offering support or building relationships. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

27%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reach out" is a grammatically correct and very common phrasal verb used to describe initiating communication, often with the intent to offer assistance or establish a connection. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is versatile and used across various contexts, including news, academic, and wiki sources. While it is generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to vary your language with alternatives like "contact" or "connect" to prevent overuse. Ludwig AI confirms the reliability of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Get in touch with

More direct and emphasizes making contact.

Make contact with

Similar to "get in touch", highlighting the act of establishing communication.

Contact

A more concise and straightforward way to suggest communication.

Get ahold of

Informal, suggesting finding someone to communicate with.

Communicate with

Focuses on the act of exchanging information.

Extend an invitation

Suggests offering an opportunity to connect or participate.

Offer assistance

Emphasizes providing help or support.

Provide support

Similar to "offer assistance", but broader in scope.

Establish communication

Formal and emphasizes setting up a communication channel.

Make an approach

Suggests taking initial steps to connect or engage.

FAQs

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

You can use "reach out" to describe initiating contact with someone, like "I will "reach out" to the client tomorrow", or offering help, such as "Reach out if you need assistance".

What's a more formal way to say "reach out"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "establish contact", "communicate with", or "extend an invitation".

Is it appropriate to use "reach out" in professional emails?

Yes, "reach out" is commonly used in professional emails, especially when offering assistance or inviting further communication. However, be mindful of your audience and consider using a more formal alternative if necessary.

What's the difference between "reach out" and "contact"?

"Reach out" often implies a more proactive and personal effort to connect, sometimes with the intention of offering help or support. "Contact" is a more general term for establishing communication.