within their grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within their grasp" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is achievable or attainable for someone. Example: "With hard work and dedication, success is within their grasp."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is within their grasp and, frankly, a top-four finish is theirs to throw away.

The Guardian - Sport

It is within their grasp.

The Guardian - Sport

That goal may now be within their grasp.

The Guardian

But Mr. Bush and his advisers insist that California's 54 electoral votes are within their grasp.

The New York Times

The glamour of Formula One, even that of marginal drivers, will never be within their grasp.

The Guardian - Sport

Oxford started the second half like a side sensing that glory was within their grasp.

The Guardian - Sport

For Burgess, though, there is no doubt that a World Cup title is within their grasp.

The Guardian - Sport

A well organised and spirited side have a top-six Championship finish within their grasp.

The Guardian - Sport

Bryan Trottier reminded the Islanders tonight that split-second victories are still within their grasp.

The New York Times - Sports

Both 'choked' with victory well within their grasp against the top and third seeds respectively.

The Telegraph

Other dreams, simpler and yet fleetingly elusive, would also seem to be within their grasp.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair with verbs like 'sensing', 'feeling', or 'knowing' to highlight the psychological state of the subject who perceives the goal is close.

Common error

Do not use "within their grasp" when you mean literal physical contact unless the context is specifically about physical reach. For figurative success, it is powerful; for picking up a cup, use 'within reach' to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

In the examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase "within their grasp" primarily functions as an adjective phrase or a predicative expression. It typically follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem' to describe the status of a noun (like 'victory', 'glory' or 'a dream'). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical integrity as a standard prepositional construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within their grasp" is an exceptionally effective way to describe a goal that is nearly attained. Ludwig AI highlights its widespread use across elite media outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it serves to describe everything from political victories to championship titles. It is a Correct and highly versatile expression that adds a layer of drama and optimism to your writing. Whether you are describing a scientific breakthrough being "attainable" or a sports team sensing glory, this phrase emphasizes the human element of reaching for a dream. By summarizing the 60 examples found in Ludwig, we can conclude that it is most effective when describing figurative rather than literal objects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within their reach

A direct synonym that is slightly more common in everyday speech.

attainable for them

More formal and explicit about the possibility of achievement.

within striking distance

Adds a sense of aggressive or competitive proximity, often used in sports.

nearly achieved

A plain, descriptive alternative that lacks the metaphorical 'grasp'.

at their fingertips

Implies extreme ease of access or immediate availability.

almost secured

Focuses on the near-completion of a specific transaction or goal.

under their control

Shifts the focus from proximity to the actual power of influence.

on the horizon

Suggests the goal is visible but perhaps slightly further away in time.

at their command

Suggests a higher level of authority over the subject.

available to them

A very general alternative focused on utility rather than ambition.

FAQs

How do I use "within their grasp" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a goal that is close to being reached, such as: "After years of training, the gold medal was finally "within their grasp"."

What is the difference between "within their grasp" and "within their reach"?

While both are interchangeable, "within their grasp" often carries a stronger metaphorical weight, suggesting a desire to seize or hold onto a victory, whereas "within their reach" is slightly more neutral.

Can I use "attainable" instead of "within their grasp"?

Yes, if you want a more formal or clinical tone, you can use "attainable for them", though it loses the vivid imagery of the original phrase.

Is it "within their grasp" or "in their grasp"?

Use "within" to indicate that something is almost achieved but not yet possessed. Use "in their grasp" to indicate that they already have physical or metaphorical control over it.