I got contacted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I got contacted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to state that someone has contacted you - either by phone, email, or another form of communication. For example, "I got contacted by a potential employer earlier today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Right out of the blue, I got contacted by Bankers Trust who said, 'You would really make a good trader.' I had no idea what trading was".

The New York Times

"I got contacted by people from all over the state saying their kid had been put in a dangerous situation over a couple of marijuana cigarettes.

BBC

I definitely needed help, so I got contacted by this guy named Ben.

Huffington Post

"I got contacted by the publishing subsidy of Sony, and it just went from there.

Vice

"When I got contacted by PMF, I was working on a Devendra Banhart poster for his upcoming concert in September.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I get contacted from someone who wants me to be on breakfast radio.

The Guardian - Opinion

I get contacted by professionals in the United States or elsewhere that I would have never met otherwise.

Nature

It's also no surprise that I get contacted a lot from real estate agents.

Forbes

Around this time every year, I get contacted by the media asking me to comment on Super Bowl commercials and their potential effects on stock prices.

Forbes

"I know for sure it happens at least once a day because that is how often I get contacted (by passengers with such a grievance)." Yet some travelers deserve blacklisting.

HuffPost

I gave up my name, I got contact lenses.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more formal alternatives like "I was contacted" in professional settings to enhance clarity.

Common error

Be specific about the source of contact. Instead of just saying "I got contacted", clarify with "I got contacted by a recruiter" or "I got contacted via email". This provides context and avoids confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I got contacted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the speaker was the recipient of an action. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows numerous examples of this usage. The phrase highlights the experience of being contacted, rather than the act of contacting someone else.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I got contacted" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone initiated communication with you. Although Ludwig confirms its validity, it leans towards the informal side. For professional settings, consider using alternatives such as "I was contacted". To improve clarity, specify the source or method of contact when using this phrase. While relatively common, being more specific and using slightly more formal alternatives can enhance your writing in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was contacted

Removes "got" but maintains the same passive construction and meaning.

I was reached out to

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct but similar phrasing, emphasizing the action of reaching out.

I received contact

Uses "received" instead of "got", providing a slightly more formal tone.

Someone got in touch with me

Similar to 'reached out' but with a slightly different idiom.

Someone reached out to me

Shifts from passive to active voice, clarifying the initiator of the contact.

I was approached by

Implies a more formal or purposeful initiation of contact.

I heard from someone

Indicates receiving communication, but is less specific about the method.

I connected with

Focuses on establishing a connection rather than just receiving contact.

I was in touch with

Expresses a reciprocal communication rather than an initial contact.

I've been in communication with

Highlights an ongoing exchange rather than a single instance of contact.

FAQs

What does "I got contacted" mean?

It means that someone initiated communication with you, either by phone, email, or other means.

What can I say instead of "I got contacted"?

You can use alternatives like "I was contacted", "I was reached out to", or "Someone reached out to me" depending on the context.

Is "I got contacted" formal or informal?

"I got contacted" leans towards informal. In professional settings, consider using "I was contacted" for a more formal tone.

How can I make "I got contacted" more specific?

Specify the source or method of contact, such as "I got contacted by email" or "I got contacted by a recruiter from LinkedIn".