reached out to

USAGE SUMMARY

"reached out to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe an act of communication and support, such as when one person contacts another for help. For example, "When she was struggling with her studies, she reached out to her professor for guidance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She reached out to him.

The New York Times

He reached out to shake my hand.

The New York Times

"He reached out to me," Bryant said.

The New York Times - Sports

Hands reached out to drag us down.

The New Yorker

"I have not reached out to them.

The New York Times - Sports

"He reached out to the audience".

The New Yorker

I guess I reached out to you.

The New York Times - Arts

So I reached out to my peers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Gay rights groups reached out to Ayanbadejo.

The New York Times - Sports

So they reached out to Politico.

The New York Times

Lochte also reached out to his mother.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reached out to" when you want to emphasize the action of making an initial attempt to connect with someone, especially for assistance or support.

Common error

Avoid using "reached out to" when a connection or communication has already been established. Opt for "contacted" or "communicated with" instead to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached out to" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the act of initiating contact with someone, often for assistance, support, or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it used in scenarios ranging from seeking advice to offering comfort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

11%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reached out to" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb that signifies the action of initiating contact with someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and frequently used. Appearing most often in News & Media, it implies an effort to connect, often seeking assistance or offering support. While versatile, remember that in formal academic or professional settings, alternatives like "contacted" may be more appropriate. Avoid using it if the communication is on going or routine.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contacted

Direct synonym, implying a successful connection was made.

got in touch with

More informal way of saying contacted.

made contact with

Formal alternative, emphasizing the act of establishing communication.

connected with

Suggests establishing a relationship or rapport.

approached

Implies initiating contact with a specific intention.

communicated with

Neutral alternative, focusing on the exchange of information.

liaised with

Suggests formal communication, often in a professional setting.

got ahold of

Informal, suggesting overcoming difficulty in contacting.

sought out

Implies a deliberate search to find and contact someone.

extended a hand to

Figurative, implying an offer of help or support.

FAQs

How can I use "reached out to" in a sentence?

You can use "reached out to" to describe the act of contacting someone, often for help or support. For example, "She "reached out to" her mentor for career advice".

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

Alternatives include "contacted" or "communicated with", which are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What is the difference between "reached out to" and "contacted"?

"Reached out to" often implies an initial attempt to make contact, whereas "contacted" suggests that communication has been established.

When is it appropriate to use "reached out to"?

Use "reached out to" when emphasizing the effort made to initiate contact, especially in situations where help, support, or a connection is being sought. Avoid it if the communication is ongoing or routine.