to reach

USAGE SUMMARY

"to reach" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a point in space, time, or any other measure. For example: "We must work hard to reach our targets by the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You've got to reach.

The New York Times - Sports

Which way to reach?

The New York Times

To reach New Jersey?

The New Yorker

I decided to reach out.

The New Yorker

"You have to reach them".

The New York Times - Sports

He tried to reach lawyers.

The New York Times - Sports

We needed to reach out.

The New York Times

It's also easy to reach.

The New York Times

"Crowdfunding allows you to reach them directly".

The Economist

"It allows you to reach new markets.

Independent

It too is no cinch to reach.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to reach" in a sentence, ensure the context is clear regarding whether you're referring to physical reach, achieving a goal, or establishing contact. For instance, "to reach a consensus" differs significantly from "to reach the summit".

Common error

Avoid using "to reach" when a more specific verb would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of "to reach a conclusion", consider using "to conclude" or "to deduce" to eliminate ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to reach" is as part of an infinitive phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier expressing purpose or intention. It can also function as a verbal complement, as seen in examples from Ludwig, where it describes the intended outcome or goal of an action. Ludwig AI supports the general correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to reach" is a versatile infinitive phrase widely used across various contexts to express intention, achievement, or physical extension. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears very frequently in news, media, and formal business settings. The phrase is valuable for setting goals, describing communication efforts, and specifying desired outcomes. Common alternatives include "to attain" or "to achieve". When writing with "to reach", ensure the context is clear and consider more specific verbs to avoid ambiguity. The Ludwig AI confirms that "to reach" is a standard and readily usable expression in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to attain

Focuses on achieving a goal or state, similar to reaching a destination.

to achieve

Emphasizes accomplishment and successful completion of a task.

to contact

Highlights establishing communication with someone, a specific type of reaching out.

to access

Implies gaining entry or availability, similar to reaching a resource.

to extend

Focuses on stretching or expanding something, like influence or a physical object.

to communicate with

Specifically refers to conveying information, a method of reaching understanding.

to grasp

Suggests understanding or seizing something, like a concept or opportunity.

to get to

Indicates arriving at a place or point in time.

to stretch

Implies extending physically or metaphorically, similar to expanding one's reach.

to gain

Highlights acquiring something, such as knowledge or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "to reach" in a sentence?

"To reach" can be used to express achieving a goal, making contact, or extending physically. For example, "We aim "to reach a consensus"", "I tried "to reach him by phone"", or "He had "to stretch to reach the top shelf"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to reach"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to attain", "to achieve", "to contact", or "to access".

What is the difference between "to reach" and "to achieve"?

While both imply attainment, "to reach" often suggests a journey or process to arrive at a destination or goal, whereas "to achieve" focuses more on the successful completion or accomplishment of a task or objective.

Is it correct to say "reaching to a decision" or "to reach a decision"?

The correct phrase is "to reach a decision". The phrase "reaching to a decision" is not standard English.