were reached out to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were reached out to" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "were reached out to" should be replaced with a more appropriate expression. Example: "The team members were reached out to for their feedback on the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

During the baseline survey, 275 healthcare workers (HCW) included doctors, nurses, paramedics and sanitary workers, and after 3 months of intervention, 255 were reached out to complete the questionnaire.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

Within minutes, Facebook engineers were reaching out to Khalil.

TechCrunch

They were reaching out to the communities to uplift them.

Vice

He's reached out to a lot of people.

BBC

ASofor the rest, who cares?" Signowp for the besheof VICE, delivered to your inbox daily.

Vice

We should be reaching out to them".

The New York Times

Finally, you're reaching out to people's pain".

The New Yorker

Japanese companies are reaching out to the world.

The New York Times

"Everybody is reaching out to private donors now," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "were reached out to" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "were contacted" or "were approached" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use informal phrasal verbs like "reach out to" in contexts that require a more formal tone. Ensure your language aligns with the intended audience and purpose by choosing more precise and professional vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were reached out to" functions as a passive construction, where the action of contacting is directed towards the subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were reached out to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is rarely used in formal writing. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is advisable to replace it with clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "were contacted" or "were approached". Although examples can be found in news and media sources, the limited usage suggests that it's best to avoid this phrase in professional contexts. Opting for alternatives will improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were contacted

This alternative replaces the informal "reached out to" with a more direct and professional term, focusing on the act of communication.

were approached

This suggests a more formal interaction, implying that someone initiated a conversation or made a request.

were communicated with

This emphasizes the two-way nature of communication and suggests an exchange of information.

were got in touch with

This is a more informal alternative that still maintains grammatical correctness, suitable for less formal contexts.

were consulted

This implies that someone sought advice or input from the individuals in question.

were engaged

This suggests an active involvement or participation in a discussion or activity.

were canvassed

This refers to soliciting opinions or support, often in a systematic way.

were solicited

This indicates a formal request for something, such as information or assistance.

were asked

This is a simple and direct way of saying that someone made a request or inquiry.

were surveyed

Implies that data or feedback was gathered through a formal survey process.

FAQs

What is a better way to say "were reached out to"?

Instead of "were reached out to", consider using stronger alternatives like "were contacted" or "were approached" for clearer communication.

Is "were reached out to" grammatically correct?

No, "were reached out to" is not considered grammatically correct in formal English. It's better to use "were contacted" or "were approached" instead.

When is it appropriate to use "reach out to"?

While "reach out to" is common in informal contexts, it's often best to use more formal alternatives like "contact" or "communicate with" in professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "were reached out to" and "were contacted"?

"Were reached out to" is an informal and somewhat awkward phrasing. "Were contacted" is a more direct, grammatically correct, and widely accepted alternative suitable for most situations.