they were reached

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "they were reached" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone or something being contacted or obtained. For example, "The protesters' demands were reached when the government announced new policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Previous truce agreements have fallen apart soon after they were reached.

The New York Times

Once they were reached, Yahoo executives rushed to move up their announcement.

The New York Times

At the big firms, at least, independent auditors examine the figures and how they were reached.

The New York Times

"We want to study those assessments and how they were reached carefully before offering any judgments about them," he added.

The New York Times

They were reached after union leaders spent 12 hours meeting with Mr. Carty and four local congressmen in Dallas, near AMR's headquarters.

The New York Times

The report said that almost 37,000 jobs have been created through the scheme so far, reaching 3 million smallholder farmers, although details of the kinds of jobs or how they were reached were not given.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Republicans responded that they would win seats because they were reaching out to independent voters.

The New York Times

By the time they were reaching adulthood, their walls were covered.

The New York Times

They were reaching out to shake his hand, to touch him.

The New Yorker

"Those R.O.V. guys, they were reaching in and disconnecting hoses with a wrench.

The New York Times - Science

They first approached me in 2005, and now they were reaching out again.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were reached" to describe the passive voice when indicating that a destination, goal, or person was contacted or achieved by an unspecified actor.

Common error

Avoid using "they were reached" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "They were reached by the team", use "The team reached them" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were reached" functions as a passive construction, where the subject (they) is the recipient of the action. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. This structure is frequently used to shift focus from the actor to the recipient.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were reached" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction. Ludwig AI validates its use in diverse contexts. It serves to highlight that a subject has been contacted, influenced, or attained, often appearing in news, scientific, and general informational writing. When employing this phrase, consider whether the passive voice best conveys your intended emphasis, and be mindful of potential active voice alternatives for greater clarity. Remember that while neutral in register, its usage across authoritative sources deems it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were contacted

Emphasizes the act of making contact with someone, differing from a more general 'reaching'.

they were communicated with

Focuses specifically on the act of communication, emphasizing the exchange of information.

they were connected with

Highlights the establishment of a connection or relationship, rather than a simple reaching.

they were attained

Focuses on the achievement of reaching a certain level or goal.

they were met

Emphasizes the act of encountering someone or something, suggesting a planned or coincidental meeting.

they were accessed

Highlights the ability to gain entry or use of something, shifting the focus to accessibility.

they were intercepted

Implies that something or someone was stopped or caught before reaching its intended destination.

they were influenced

Indicates that something or someone had an impact, changing the focus from physical reaching to persuasive influence.

they were captured

Highlights the act of seizing or taking control of something or someone, suggesting a more forceful action.

they were gotten to

An informal way of saying someone was influenced or bribed, carrying a slightly negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "they were reached" in a sentence?

Use "they were reached" to indicate that a group or entity has been successfully contacted or arrived at. For example, "The summit participants were reached by the mediator with a compromise proposal".

What can I say instead of "they were reached"?

You can use alternatives like "they were contacted", "they were attained", or "they were accessed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they were reached" or "they reached"?

Both are correct, but "they were reached" is in the passive voice, while "they reached" is in the active voice. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the recipients or the actors. For example, "They reached the summit" versus "They were reached by the rescue team".

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

"They were reached" implies a successful arrival or contact, while "they were approached" simply indicates that an attempt to make contact was made, regardless of success.