Grammar Puzzles Solved (4): Is it grammatically correct to use ‘at’ or “in” or any other preposition after ‘reach’? If so, what is the reason for this usage?

Correct use of reach

Correct use of reach

The verb “reach” generally does not require
a preposition before its object. However, depending on meaning and context, prepositions such as “at” or “to” may appear after “reach.”

1. “Reach” Without a Preposition (Most Common
and Preferred Usage)

• “Reach”
  is a transitive verb, meaning it directly takes an object without needing
  a preposition.
• Examples:
• She
  reached the station on time. (Correct ✅)
• He
  reached his goal after years of effort. (Correct ✅)
• We
  reached home late at night. (Correct ✅)
• ❌
  She reached at the station on time. (Incorrect)

• “Reach”
  is not normally followed by “at”, but it can appear in
  certain phrases, particularly when “reach” is used as a noun
  or passively:
• We
  reached the city at dawn. (No “at” needed)
• We
  arrived at the city at dawn. (Correct with “at” because
  “arrive” requires a preposition)
• She
  reached at the top of the mountain. ❌ (Incorrect)
• She
  reached the top of the mountain. ✅ (Correct)
• Her
  reach at the company extended to all departments. ✅
  (Correct, but “reach” is a noun here)
• The
  news reached him at midnight. ✅ (Correct, because
  “at” refers to “midnight,” not “reached”)

3. Using “Reach” with ‘To’ (Incorrect in
Standard Usage)

• “Reach”
  already implies movement, so adding “to” is unnecessary.
• ❌
  He reached to the airport on time. (Incorrect)
• ✅
  He reached the airport on time. (Correct)
• However,
  “reach out to” is correct in a figurative sense:
• She
  reached out to her old friend for help. ✅
  (Correct)

4. Using “Reach” with ‘For’ (When Indicating an
Attempt to Get Something)

• “Reach
  for” means to extend one’s hand to grab something.
• Examples:
• He
  reached for the book on the shelf. ✅ (Correct)
• She
  reached for her phone in the dark. ✅ (Correct)

Conclusion

• Use “reach”
  without a preposition when talking about destinations or goals.
• Use “reach
  for” when talking about grabbing something.
• Avoid “reach
  to”—it is incorrect in standard English.
• Use “reach
  at” only when “reach” is a noun or when “at”
  is linked to another phrase (e.g., reached him at midnight).