reaching over

USAGE SUMMARY

“reaching over” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the action of extending one's arm over a surface to reach for something, for example: "Peter reached over the table to grab the remote control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In 1983 there were 35, with only one reaching over 110cm.

The Guardian

But he refused and pressed, reaching over to me.

The New York Times

The wait list ballooned insanely, finally reaching over 700 people.

The New York Times

The site is extremely successful, reaching over 90% of voters in the local community.

University of California, Berkeley

Arm reaching over shoulder height is the main factor affecting WBD for both males and females.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

The performance of OPV has been greatly improved in last decade, now reaching over 12%.

Encyclopedia of Modern Optics

So it's as if you're reaching over and re-buying the merchandise for your relatives.

The New York Times - Magazine

The children surrounded him in wide-eyed enchantment, reaching over one another to pet the birds.

The New York Times

He sat up, reaching over to the bedside table for his glasses.

The New York Times

"They don't work, do they?" "Of course not," Fran said, reaching over to pat her forearm.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Or are everyone's brains reaching over-capacity with data storage?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reaching over" when describing a physical action of extending a part of the body to get to something. Ensure the context clarifies what is being reached for.

Common error

Avoid using "reaching over" when the act doesn't involve crossing a physical barrier or space. Use more appropriate verbs like 'grabbing' or 'taking' if the object is already within easy reach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching over" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a verb clause to describe a physical action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression in English. It denotes the act of extending an arm or other body part to access something beyond one's immediate reach.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reaching over" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of extending to grasp or access something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English. Its usage spans diverse contexts, primarily appearing in news, science, and formal business communications. While "reaching over" is generally neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure that the context accurately reflects a physical extension across a space; otherwise, synonyms like "reaching across" or "extending one's reach" may provide more nuanced alternatives. Using "reaching over" correctly can make your writing both descriptive and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reaching across

Similar to the query, but specifically indicates movement from one side to another.

reaching for

Emphasizes the intention or attempt to grab something.

extending one's reach

Focuses on the action of extending physically.

stretching across

Emphasizes the act of spanning a distance.

leaning over

Implies bending the body to gain access.

reaching out

Highlights the attempt to make contact or obtain something at a distance.

stretching out

Implies extending a limb or the body to its full extent.

reaching forward

Indicates movement in a forward direction to gain access.

bending down

Involves lowering the body to reach something below.

accessing remotely

Indicates obtaining access from a distant location.

FAQs

How can I use "reaching over" in a sentence?

You can use "reaching over" to describe the action of extending an arm or another body part to get something that's not immediately accessible. For example, "She was "reaching over" the table for the salt shaker."

What are some alternatives to "reaching over"?

Alternatives include "extending one's reach", "stretching across", or "reaching across", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "reaching over" or should I use another phrase?

Ludwig AI confirms that "reaching over" is correct and usable in English. It accurately describes the act of extending to get something, so it's perfectly acceptable to use.

What does "reaching over" imply in terms of effort or distance?

"Reaching over" often implies that some effort is required to extend beyond an immediate space or obstacle to obtain something. It suggests a deliberate action to bridge a short distance.