Meaning & use
I am reaching out
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Meanings
phrasephrasal verb
used to say you are contacting someone, especially to ask for help or to offer help.
Grammar: Intransitive here; often followed by 'to' + person: I am reaching out to you. In business emails it often starts a message.
Patterns
- reach out to someone
- reach out for help
- reach out about something
I am reaching out to ask if you have time for a quick meeting.
She is reaching out to old friends during the holidays.
We are reaching out to local businesses for support.
phrasephrasal verb
stretching your hand forward to touch or take something.
Grammar: Usually followed by 'for' + object, or used with a direction like 'toward'.
Patterns
- reach out for something
- reach out toward someone
The baby is reaching out for the toy.
He is reaching out to steady himself on the wall.
Common combinations
- reach out to someone
- I am reaching out to my teacher for advice.
- reach out for help
- Don't be afraid to reach out for help.
- reach out and touch
- She reached out and touched his arm.
Synonyms and how they differ
- contact
- Neutral and more formal; it does not carry the friendly, helpful feeling of 'reach out'.
- get in touch
- Very similar in meaning, but a little more casual and less common in formal business emails.
- approach
- Often used when you contact someone for a specific purpose, like a job; it can sound more direct.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: I am reaching out or reach?
I am reaching out vs reach
'Reach' alone can mean arrive at a place or achieve a goal; 'reach out' means contact or stretch toward someone.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'reaching out' correctly for contacting someone?
Choose one answer.
When you contact someone, you 'reach out to' them. 'Reach out for' is used for trying to get something, like help or a physical object.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “I am reaching out”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.