reached their destination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reached their destination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the completion of a journey or the arrival at a specific location. Example: "After a long day of travel, the hikers finally reached their destination at the summit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Few parcels reached their destination.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The food convoys reached their destination and famine was averted.

The Economist

All were advised to wash their clothing and shoes when they reached their destination.

The New York Times

Millions passed through the region, many of whom died before they reached their destination.

The New Yorker

The contests were usually held after the logs had reached their destination.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After they reached their destination, most of the mules became diseased and had to be shot.

The New Yorker

At last they reached their destination: a five-way intersection northeast of Marja.

The New York Times

About a third of the letters reached their destination, after an average of six mailings.

The New York Times - Science

By the time they reached their destination they had, wordlessly, resolved to stick together.

The Guardian - Opinion

Soon they reached their destination, a big noodle shop on the highway.

The New Yorker

Before they reached their destination, Cahal drew the car onto the verge where it was wide and looked dry.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about journeys or processes, ensure that using "reached their destination" is the most precise way to convey the successful completion of the trip. Consider whether alternatives like "arrived at their destination" or "got to their destination" might better suit the tone and context of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "reached their destination" when the intended meaning is simply 'approached' or 'neared'. The phrase implies a successful arrival, not just proximity. Consider "approached their destination" if the journey is still ongoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached their destination" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of a journey or the successful arrival at a pre-determined location. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe various scenarios, from physical travel to abstract goals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reached their destination" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It effectively conveys the successful completion of a journey or the arrival at a designated location. While perfectly acceptable, considering alternatives like "arrived at their destination" or "got to their destination" can add nuance to your writing. The phrase's versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, but be sure to use it precisely to indicate complete arrival, not just proximity. With its widespread use across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist, "reached their destination" remains a reliable choice for expressing successful arrival.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrived at their destination

Emphasizes the act of arrival; a direct synonym.

got to their destination

Informal way of saying they arrived.

made it to their destination

Highlights the effort or challenge overcome to arrive.

attained their destination

More formal, suggesting a deliberate effort to reach the place.

ended up at their destination

Suggests the arrival might have been unplanned or circuitous.

pulled into their destination

Implies travel by vehicle.

navigated to their destination

Focuses on the process of finding the way.

find themselves at their destination

Implicates surprise or chance to reach a certain place.

got as far as their destination

Specifies reaching the final location was the limit of progress.

finalized their trip at the destination

Emphasizes the closure and completion.

FAQs

What does "reached their destination" mean?

The phrase "reached their destination" means that someone or something has successfully arrived at the intended or planned final location of a journey.

What can I say instead of "reached their destination"?

You can use alternatives like "arrived at their destination", "got to their destination", or "made it to their destination" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "reach their destination" instead of "reached their destination"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Reach their destination" implies a future or habitual action, while "reached their destination" indicates a completed action in the past.

What is the difference between "approached their destination" and "reached their destination"?

"Approached their destination" means they were getting closer to the location, while "reached their destination" means they successfully arrived. "Approached their destination" indicates proximity, but "reached their destination" confirms arrival.