reached adulthood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reached adulthood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has transitioned from childhood to adulthood, often marking a significant milestone in their life. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, she finally reached adulthood and was ready to take on new responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Then he reached adulthood and it got serious.

The New York Times - Books

As Rose reached adulthood, her behavior grew increasingly erratic.

The New Yorker

He has reached adulthood lonely, underemployed and lacking all self-respect.

The New York Times

Even before Mr. Rockefeller reached adulthood, his family had included parks among their many philanthropic projects.

The New York Times

On this island, with 14 post offices, 180 residents reached adulthood this year.

The New York Times

Only four of the Moores' eight children, all girls, reached adulthood.

The New York Times

Born in 1874, he reached adulthood at the height of the British empire.

The Guardian - Books

Women, slaves and aliens had no say, and men only reached adulthood at 30.

The Guardian - Books

It wasn't until I reached adulthood that I realized that borscht could be made another way.

The New Yorker

The couple had eight children, of whom only Alfred and three brothers reached adulthood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The checks, sometimes for thousands of dollars, were sent for years -- until the girls reached adulthood.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reached adulthood" to clearly indicate the transition from adolescence to full maturity, especially when describing developmental stages or life milestones.

Common error

Avoid using the past perfect tense (had reached adulthood) unless you are referring to a point in the past before another past event. Using simple past (reached adulthood) is generally sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached adulthood" functions as a marker of a life stage transition. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and can be used to indicate that someone has transitioned from childhood to adulthood. This phrase is commonly used to describe developmental stages and life milestones.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

43%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reached adulthood" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the transition from adolescence to maturity. As indicated by Ludwig, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone and signifies the attainment of full maturity and independence. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is a clear and effective way to describe this important life stage, making it suitable for diverse writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Attained adulthood

Replaces "reached" with "attained", emphasizing the achievement of adulthood.

Entered adulthood

Substitutes "reached" with "entered", focusing on the commencement of adult life.

Matured into adulthood

Adds "matured into" to highlight the developmental process leading to adulthood.

Came of age

Uses an idiomatic expression to signify reaching maturity and independence.

Grew into adulthood

Emphasizes the gradual process of developing into an adult.

Achieved maturity

Focuses on attaining a state of full development and responsibility.

Became an adult

Offers a more straightforward and literal alternative.

Completed adolescence

Highlights the end of the adolescent phase and the beginning of adulthood.

Exited childhood

Focuses on the departure from childhood, implying the start of adulthood.

Transited to adulthood

Highlights the change of stage to adulthood.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "reached adulthood"?

Saying someone "reached adulthood" means they have transitioned from childhood or adolescence into the stage of life characterized by maturity, responsibility, and legal independence.

What can I say instead of "reached adulthood"?

You can use alternatives like "entered adulthood", "came of age", or "matured into adulthood" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reached adulthood" or "achieved adulthood"?

"Reached adulthood" is more common and generally preferred. "Achieved adulthood" implies a greater sense of accomplishment or overcoming obstacles.

How is "reached adulthood" different from "coming of age"?

"Reached adulthood" is a more straightforward description of a transition, whereas "coming of age" often implies a narrative arc involving significant personal growth and self-discovery during the transition.