reaching for

USAGE SUMMARY

"reaching for" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the act of extending one's hand or effort towards something desired or needed. Example: She was reaching for the stars in her career. Alternative expressions include "striving for," "aiming for," and "grasping for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And reaching for seconds.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Catsimatidis grinned, reaching for the microphone.

The New York Times

"please keep reaching for me," he writes.

The New York Times - Books

Denzel Washington is reaching for his gun.

The Guardian - Film

"Money!" he said reaching for the coin.

The New York Times

The man was reaching for something, too.

The New Yorker

They are reaching for help.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I'm always reaching for authenticity.

The Guardian - Books

They're reaching for their bench".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Diana Degarmo--Reaching for Heaven.

Huffington Post

Nobody is reaching for the brake.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reports, consider replacing the phrase with more specific verbs like "attaining" or "targeting" to increase precision.

Common error

Do not confuse "reaching for" with "reaching out to". While "reaching for" implies trying to obtain an object or goal, "reaching out to" is specifically for contacting or offering help to people. Using them interchangeably can confuse the intent of the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching for" functions as a present participle construction followed by a preposition. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g. "is reaching for") or as a gerund-like modifier describing a simultaneous action. It acts as a transitive phrasal verb form where "for" introduces the target or beneficiary of the reach.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "reaching for" is a robust and grammatically standard English phrase that effectively communicates the act of striving or extending oneself toward a goal. Data from Ludwig AI demonstrates its widespread use in high-authority journalism and academic writing, where it functions both as a literal descriptor of movement and a powerful metaphor for ambition. Its flexibility allows it to appear in diverse contexts, from a chef "reaching for" an ingredient to an entrepreneur "reaching for" the next success. Writers should feel confident using this phrase while being mindful of the distinction between it and social expressions like "reaching out". Overall, it remains a staple of clear, active English prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

striving for

Emphasizes great effort or struggle toward an ambitious goal

grasping for

Suggests a more desperate or sudden physical action

aiming for

Focuses on the specific target or objective being sought

grasping at

Often used idiomatically to describe a desperate attempt (e.g. "grasping at straws")

extending toward

More clinical or descriptive of the physical motion of the limb

stretching for

Highlights the physical strain or distance involved in the reach

vying for

Implies a competitive context where others are also seeking the same thing

seeking after

A more formal or archaic way to describe a quest for something

pursuing

A direct verb that removes the phrasal structure for a more active tone

yearning for

Shifts the focus from the action to the emotional desire

FAQs

How to use "reaching for" in a sentence?

You can use "reaching for" to describe a physical action, like "he was "reaching for his keys"", or an abstract goal, such as "she is "reaching for success"".

What is a more formal synonym for "reaching for"?

In professional contexts, you might prefer "aspiring to" or "endeavoring to attain" to convey a similar meaning with higher register.

Is it "reaching for" or "reaching to"?

Use "reaching for" when there is an object you want to grab or a goal you want to achieve. Use "reaching to" (often as part of "reaching out to") when the focus is on the direction of the movement or the person you are contacting.

Can "reaching for" be used metaphorically?

Yes, it is very common in English to use "reaching for" metaphorically, such as in the idiom "reaching for the stars", which means setting very high goals.