they reached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they reached" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group of people arrived at a destination or achieved a goal. Example: "After a long journey, they reached the summit of the mountain just in time for sunrise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

(They reached a settlement).

The New York Times

Eventually they reached $6m.

Independent

And yet they reached one.

The Economist

"They reached out for me.

The New Yorker

They reached no firm conclusions.

The New York Times - Arts

In fact, they reached $39.50.

The New York Times

They reached the Grand Concourse.

The New Yorker

Soon, they reached a creek.

The New Yorker

They reached N.Y.

The New Yorker

"At least they reached out," she said.

The New York Times

Three days later they reached the ISS.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "they arrived at" or "they attained" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "they reached" with abstract concepts that don't involve a tangible destination or achievable goal. For instance, instead of saying "they reached an understanding" consider "they came to an understanding" or "they achieved consensus".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they reached" typically functions as a verb phrase, where "they" is the subject and "reached" is the past tense of the verb 'reach'. It indicates the action of arriving at a destination, achieving a goal, or coming to an agreement. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they reached" is a versatile and frequently used phrase indicating the arrival at a location, the achievement of a goal, or the successful conclusion of a process. It functions as a verb phrase with a neutral register, making it appropriate for a wide range of contexts, most notably in News & Media. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable. When using "they reached", remember to avoid using it with abstract nouns and consider synonyms like "they arrived at" or "they attained" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they arrived at

Focuses specifically on the act of physical arrival at a location.

they attained

Highlights the achievement of a goal or objective rather than physical arrival.

they accomplished

Emphasizes the successful completion of a task or undertaking.

they achieved

Similar to 'attained' but can also imply overcoming obstacles.

they finalized

Implies the completion of a process or agreement.

they concluded

Suggests the termination of a discussion or negotiation with a result.

they came to

Indicates reaching a certain state, understanding or conclusion.

they gained

Focuses on obtaining or acquiring something, such as knowledge or access.

they got to

An informal way to indicate reaching a location or point.

they entered

Focuses on going into a specific place or state.

FAQs

What does "they reached" mean?

The phrase "they reached" generally means that a group of people or entities arrived at a specific location, achieved a particular goal, or came to an agreement. The meaning changes depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "they reached"?

You can use alternatives like "they arrived at", "they attained", or "they achieved" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they reached to an agreement"?

No, the correct phrasing is "they reached an agreement". The preposition 'to' is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "they reached" and "they approached"?

"They reached" implies arrival or attainment, whereas "they approached" suggests moving closer but not necessarily arriving at the destination or achieving the goal. For example, "they reached the summit" means they arrived, while "they approached the summit" means they were getting closer but hadn't yet arrived.