ARRIVE (AT, IN) : REACH

Topic 17

ARRIVE (AT, IN) : REACH

Arrive may be used alone, or with an adverb such as here and there, or by a noun preceded by at or in. No preposition is required with reach.

* We reached the cinema just as it started to rain.

* We arrive at the cinema just as it started to rain.

* He reached Waterloo at 10.30 pm.

* He arrived at Waterloo at 10.30 pm.

* When did the boat reach harbour?

* When did the boat arrive in harbour?

[Harbour: a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo]

* When did you arrive home?

* When did you reach home?

[Note that no preposition is needed before home.]

When reach means ‘be above to touch’, ‘be able to extend the hand as far as’, it may be used with either a direct object or an adverb phrase.

* Can you reach the top of the tree?

* I can’t reach as high as you can.