reach towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"reach towards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the action of someone stretching out an arm, hand, or finger towards someone or something. Example: He extended his arm and reached towards the little bird perched on the tree branch.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Two gig boats race upriver from Hospital Reach towards the slipway.

The Guardian

Like the rain from our mountain, they reach towards your bones, quench them, purify them, free them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What I'm doing on this record is an attempt to reach towards Jacques Brel, because I'm very impressed with his work from the 50's.

The New York Times - Arts

But his presidency has opened a door, and it is up to us whether we walk through it and reach towards the best of ourselves.

The Guardian

Our philosophy was to reach towards something hopefully more fulfilling and meaningful, with people given the tools to be part of the conversation themselves.

The Guardian

The unanswered question is whether it would go from "outside-in" (remote areas towards urban ones) or "inside-out" (from the limits of the present reach towards the most remote places).

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"This living hand, now warm and capable" reaches towards you.

The Guardian - Books

Then a hand floated – or reached – towards me.

The Guardian - Books

Scalpel in hand, Opperman reaches towards Sidney's nose.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

'What for?' Jessica grabbed it and reached towards the back seat.

The Guardian - Books

Rich insists that to love is to risk, however tentatively, reaching towards the truth together.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical action, ensure the context clarifies whether "reach towards" is a literal movement or an attempt to grasp something. For abstract goals, consider alternatives like "strive for" or "aspire to" for enhanced clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "reach towards" when describing purely mental or emotional efforts. Instead of saying "He reached towards understanding", consider "He sought to understand" or "He tried to understand" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach towards" primarily functions as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating movement or directionality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, noting its use to describe the action of stretching out an arm, hand, or finger.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reach towards" is a versatile prepositional verb phrase used to describe the act of extending physically or striving metaphorically in a particular direction. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing and usability. Its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, underscores its relevance in both literal and abstract scenarios. When using "reach towards", consider the context to ensure clarity and precision, and be mindful of potential overuse in abstract writing where alternatives like "strive for" or "aspire to" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend toward

Replaces "reach" with "extend", emphasizing the physical act of stretching out in a direction.

move toward

Indicates general progress in a specific direction, whether physical or metaphorical.

strive for

Shifts the focus from physical action to aspirational effort, suggesting a determined attempt to achieve a goal.

advance toward

Suggests a more purposeful and deliberate movement in a direction, implying progress.

aspire to

Similar to "strive for", but implies a loftier, more ambitious goal.

aim for

Highlights the intentionality of targeting something specific, removing the physical element.

approach

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the act of getting closer without necessarily involving physical extension.

make an effort toward

Emphasizes the exertion of energy or resources in pursuit of a particular objective.

tend toward

Implies a natural inclination or tendency to move in a particular direction.

gravitate toward

Suggests being drawn to something, often passively or instinctively.

FAQs

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

You can use "reach towards" to describe a physical action, such as "She "reached towards" the cookie jar", or a metaphorical action, like "The company "reached towards" a new market segment".

What are some alternatives to "reach towards"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "extend toward", "strive for", or "move toward".

Is there a difference between "reach towards" and "reach for"?

"Reach towards" implies extending in the direction of something, while "reach for" suggests an attempt to grab or attain something. The nuance lies in the intent and whether physical contact is implied.

When is it best to use "reach towards" instead of "approach"?

Use "reach towards" when emphasizing the physical action of extending or stretching. Use "approach" when focusing on the act of getting closer in distance or similarity, without necessarily involving physical extension.