were reached by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were reached by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain outcome or conclusion was achieved through the actions or influence of someone or something. Example: "The decisions were reached by a consensus among all committee members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both residents were reached by telephone.

The New York Times

The figures were reached by updating a 1997 study to reflect current cellphone use estimates.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, similar conclusions were reached by studies that focused on longer-term reactions.

The New York Times

Similar conclusions were reached by the General Accounting Office, the Treasury Department and many state governments.

The New York Times

When students were reached by phone by a reporter, a more complex portrait emerged.

The New York Times

Not all the Kuchi were reached by the survey, but Ms. de Weijer listed some stark facts.

The New York Times

Because of its openness, it's impossible to know how many people were reached by Jazz & Colors in its inaugural year.

The New York Times

Mendel's publications lay unmentioned in the research literature until 1900, when the same conclusions were reached by several other investigators.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They have acknowledged in interviews with me that the population totals for 2000 and 1990 were reached by different methods and are not directly comparable.

The New York Times

The residents, who were reached by phone and requested anonymity because of security concerns, said most of the dead appeared to be militants.

The New York Times

But they spent much of Wednesday watching the water rise, and were reached by boat after eight hours of being stranded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were reached by", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what made the contact or achieved the result. For example, "The final agreement were reached by consensus among the negotiators."

Common error

Avoid using "was reached by" when the subject is plural. The correct form is "were reached by". Example: Incorrect: "The goals was reached by the team." Correct: "The goals were reached by the team."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were reached by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject experienced an action performed by someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showcasing how outcomes, individuals, or locations are acted upon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were reached by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to indicate that a subject has been contacted, influenced, or attained something through an external action. Its versatile nature allows for use in various contexts, ranging from formal scientific reports to news articles, maintaining a generally neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity regarding who or what initiated the action to enhance effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were contacted by

Focuses specifically on communication or direct interaction.

were achieved by

Focuses on accomplishment or successful completion.

were influenced by

Highlights the impact or effect that something had.

were impacted by

Highlights the effect or influence on something or someone.

were attained through

Emphasizes the method or means by which something was achieved.

were gained through

Emphasizes the process of acquiring or obtaining something.

were accessed through

Implies a method of gaining entry or connection.

were communicated with by

Emphasizes the act of communication initiated by someone.

were met by

Implies an encounter or reception, possibly indicating a challenge or resistance.

were overtaken by

Suggests being surpassed or overwhelmed, often in a competitive or negative context.

FAQs

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

Use "were reached by" to indicate that a conclusion, person, or place was accessed or influenced by something or someone. For instance, "The agreement "was reached by" consensus" or "The remote village "was reached by" the aid workers".

What are some alternatives to "were reached by"?

Alternatives include "were contacted by", "were influenced by", or "were attained through", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is it correct to say "was reached by" instead of "were reached by"?

No, "was reached by" is used with singular subjects, while "were reached by" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The agreement was reached by consensus", but "The agreements "were reached by" compromise".

What's the difference between "were reached by" and "were arrived at by"?

"Were reached by" typically indicates a contact or influence, while "were arrived at by" usually refers to a decision or conclusion. For example, "The remote villages were reached by the medical team", but "The conclusions were arrived at by careful analysis".