Phrasal Verb – Reach out.
To contact someone, usually by email, phone or message.
You open your work inbox on Monday morning. The first email ends: “If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.” Then the next one says it too. And the one after that.
To reach out simply means to contact someone. It’s one of the most common phrases in modern office English, so it’s worth knowing exactly how to use it, and when not to.
Three Meanings of “Reach Out”
- To contact someone (the most common): “I’ll reach out to the supplier tomorrow.”
- To offer help or support to people who need it: “The school reached out to families who were struggling.”
- The literal meaning: to stretch your arm out to touch or take something: “She reached out and grabbed my hand.”
How to Use It
The grammar is simple, but learners often get one thing wrong. You reach out to a person. You can’t put the person straight after the verb.
- Correct: “Please reach out to me if you need help.”
- Wrong: “Please reach out me.” or “Please reach me out.”
- Talking about the topic: “I’m reaching out about the job advert.” (Very common at the start of emails.)
You can use it on its own too: “Don’t hesitate to reach out.”
Work Phrase or Everyday Phrase?
This is the important bit. Reach out is mostly a work and business phrase. It came from American English and has spread fast in British offices. In British books it is more than five times as common as it was in the early 1990s (see our article on which British words are fading and which are taking over).
With friends and family, it can sound a bit stiff, like you’re writing to a customer. Some Brits also find it over-used in emails. Here are more natural choices:
- Get in touch: friendly and fine anywhere. “Get in touch when you’re back from holiday.”
- Message me / text me: casual. “Text me when you get home.”
- Give me a shout: very British and friendly. “Give me a shout if you need a lift.”
- Drop me a line: a bit old-fashioned but warm. “Drop me a line sometime.”
- Contact: neutral and clear, good for formal writing. “Please contact the office for details.”
So, in a work email, reach out is perfectly normal. In a WhatsApp to your mate, go for give me a shout.
Example:
- “Thanks for your email. I’ll reach out to the team and get back to you.”
- “Hi Sam, I’m reaching out about the marketing role you posted.”
- “If you’re feeling lonely, reach out to someone. A chat can really help.”
- “The baby reached out for the biscuit.”
More work English: phrasal verbs for the office, log in and figure out. And for after work, chat up!
Learn More
Look it upReach out – Cambridge DictionaryCambridge DictionaryWhat is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with 1 or 2 small words. These small words are particles. A particle can be a preposition or adverb. The phrasal verb has a different meaning from the verb alone because the particle changes the meaning of the verb.
Frequently Asked Questions
It means to contact someone, usually by email, phone or message. It can also mean to offer help or support to people who need it.
It started in American English, especially in business, but it is now very common in British offices too. In British books it is more than five times as common as it was in the early 1990s.
You can, but it sounds a bit formal or like a work email. With friends, most Brits say “get in touch”, “message me” or “give me a shout”.
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