I started touching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started touching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is describing the beginning of an action involving physical contact or interaction with an object or person. Example: "As I walked through the art gallery, I started touching the sculptures to feel their texture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I started touching the ball with the forehand and having a lot of winners," Nadal said.

The New York Times - Sports

Spacek: I started touching a lot—.

Los Angeles Times

I knew nothing about them, but as soon as I started touching their arm, shaving and preparing the skin, I couldn't help but imagine who they were, and the idea of who they were influenced how the tattoo unfolded.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I'm at a point in my career, I start touching names, it's hard to believe".

The New York Times - Sports

Make sure I've had all my vaccinations before I start touching noses with other dogs when out walking! Don't take me walking until I have had them; you'll be forced to run around the garden with me until you take me to the vet!

WikiHow

At some point I became aroused and started touching myself with my hand.

Vice

I arrive in Katowice the day before COP24 started, touching down into a world of grey bleakness.

Vice

I arrive in Katowice the day before COP24 started, touching down into a world of gray bleakness.

Vice

A bulky man started touching my shoulders and ladled me a cup of water (I think), which I drank without hesitation.

Vice

So I sat next to him, and that was when he started touching me.

Unicef

He just took off my bed sheet, and started touching me … Then he told me, 'If you talk, I'm going to beat you up.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action, use "I started touching" to clearly indicate the commencement of physical contact. For descriptive writing, this can effectively convey a character's initial interaction with an object or another person.

Common error

Avoid using "I started touching" when the intent is to convey a general feeling or emotion. Instead, use phrases like "I began to feel" to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started touching" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a physical action. It describes the beginning of a tactile experience, as supported by Ludwig's examples showing various contexts, all related to initiating physical contact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I started touching" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe the commencement of physical contact. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase serves to describe initiating a tactile experience in various contexts like personal narratives and news reports. While not extremely frequent, its usage is versatile. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the intention of describing a physical action rather than a general feeling, as indicated by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began touching

Replaces 'started' with 'began', offering a more formal tone while maintaining the core meaning.

I commenced touching

Substitutes 'started' with 'commenced', increasing the formality of the phrase.

I initiated contact with

Replaces 'touching' with 'initiated contact', emphasizing the start of physical interaction.

I reached out and touched

Adds a sense of reaching or extending before the act of touching, highlighting the effort involved.

I made contact with

Focuses on the establishment of physical connection, using a more technical or detached tone.

I began to feel

Shifts from a deliberate action to a sensory experience, focusing on the feeling rather than the act of touching.

I came into contact with

Highlights the event of encountering something physically, often unexpectedly.

I started feeling

Emphasizes the sensory experience of touch, rather than the physical action itself.

I put my hand on

Specifies the body part used for touching, adding a level of detail.

I handled

Emphasizes the act of manipulating or dealing with something through touch.

FAQs

What does "I started touching" mean?

The phrase "I started touching" indicates the beginning of a physical action where the speaker is making contact with something or someone. It clearly signifies the initiation of a tactile experience.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I started touching"?

Yes, "I started touching" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure where "I" is the subject, "started" is the verb, and "touching" functions as a gerund expressing the action that began.

What are some alternatives to "I started touching"?

You can use alternatives such as "I began touching", "I commenced touching", or "I initiated contact with" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

How can I use "I started touching" in a sentence?

Use "I started touching" when you want to describe the act of initiating a physical connection with something. For example: "As I walked through the forest, I started touching the leaves of the trees."