reached someone

USAGE SUMMARY

"reached someone" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has communicated with or made contact with another person. Example: I heard that the charity event reached over 100 people in need.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He eventually reached someone in the agency's recruitment center.

The New Yorker

Using them and a few intact phone lines, at least 41 people in the restaurant reached someone outside the building.

The New York Times

"It would have been a matter of seconds before he could have reached someone else," he said.

The Guardian

So Mr. Soffin Googled the State Department and reached someone there, commencing what would turn out to be 10 days of nonstop conversations and e-mail messages advocating on behalf of Mr. Berends and his translator, Samuel George, a Nigerian citizen who was also detained.

The New York Times

Changes such as building a house or learning lead to an end (telos) that lies "beyond," and are incomplete as long as the end is not reached—"someone who is building a house, has not built it" (Metaphysics Theta 6).

SEP

My cold emails at 2 30 a.m., sent to "guessed" addresses, reached someone who set this in motion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He is trying to reach someone, presumably a woman.

The New Yorker

If it's positive, then it can reach someone.

The New York Times

Reaching someone in that office, he reported the killing.

The New York Times

If you do not reach someone during business hours, leave a message on the Q.I.O.

The New York Times

We'll be reaching someone else's rock bottom soon, watching them self-destruct.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reached someone" when you want to emphasize the successful completion of an attempt to communicate or make contact with another person. It implies overcoming a barrier or effort to connect.

Common error

Avoid using "reached someone" in contexts where you mean to influence or have an effect on someone emotionally or psychologically. Instead, use phrases like "touched someone" or "resonated with someone" for such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached someone" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of successfully making contact with a person. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reached someone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase indicating successful contact or communication with an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally considered correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. While it's commonly found in news and media, its application extends to scientific and formal/business settings. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of successful communication, and be mindful of alternative phrasings such as "contacted somebody" or "got in touch with someone" for nuanced expressions. Avoid its use in contexts where you want to imply emotional influence, opting for words like "touched" or "resonated" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contacted somebody

This alternative uses a more direct synonym for "reached", emphasizing the act of making contact.

got in touch with someone

This alternative focuses on the process of establishing communication.

connected with someone

This alternative implies a successful establishment of a relationship or communication.

made contact with someone

This alternative is a more formal way of saying "reached someone".

got ahold of someone

This alternative is more informal and suggests persistence in contacting someone.

communicated with someone

This alternative emphasizes the exchange of information.

managed to contact someone

This implies difficulty in establishing contact.

spoke to someone

This alternative indicates a verbal interaction.

corresponded with someone

This suggests a written exchange.

approached someone

This focuses on the act of initiating contact.

FAQs

How can I use "reached someone" in a sentence?

You can use "reached someone" to describe the act of successfully contacting a person. For example, "After several attempts, I finally "reached someone" at customer service who could help me."

What's a more formal alternative to "reached someone"?

A more formal alternative to "reached someone" is "made contact with someone". This phrase is suitable for professional or official communication.

Is it always necessary to specify who was reached after saying "reached someone"?

While it's not always grammatically necessary, specifying who was reached provides clarity and context. For example, "She "reached someone" in the HR department" is more informative than just "She "reached someone"".

What's the difference between "reached someone" and "tried to reach someone"?

"Reached someone" implies successful communication, while "tried to reach someone" suggests an attempt was made but does not guarantee success. For example, "I "reached someone" at the company" means you spoke to someone, whereas "I tried to reach someone at the company" means you attempted to but may not have succeeded.