I was touching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was touching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was occurring in the past, typically involving physical contact with something or someone. Example: "I was touching the surface of the water, feeling the coolness against my skin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Everything I was touching was making money.

The Guardian - Film

"I was touching people and laughing with them, and they were giving me these amazing insights.

The New York Times

"I was touching that money to help me survive the disasters that were around me.

The New York Times

A third analyst, Steven Padnick, commented, "When I shook her hand, I felt like I was touching the great professor".

The New Yorker

I was touching the source!" He's going to play the legendary Texan in a miniseries on the History Channel.

The New Yorker

"So what do you do when you've got no customers?" "Before you got here, I was touching up the paint," Young said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

I was touched, though.

The New York Times - Arts

I was touched.

The New Yorker

"I was touched, really touched," Carter said.

The New York Times - Sports

I was touched by the story.

The New York Times

"For the first time I was touched".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was touching" to vividly describe past physical interactions, focusing on the sensory experience or the action of making contact with something or someone.

Common error

Avoid using "I was touching" when the intended meaning is simply being near something or someone without actual physical contact. Use more appropriate phrases like "I was near" or "I was close to" to avoid miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was touching" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It specifies the subject's (I) action of physically contacting something. Examples from Ludwig, such as "I was touching people and laughing with them", illustrate its use in describing ongoing interactions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was touching" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes a past continuous action of physically contacting something. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it serves to provide vivid details of sensory experiences or physical interactions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a physical interaction and consider alternative phrases like "I made contact with" or "I felt" for clarity in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I made contact with

Emphasizes the act of establishing physical contact.

I had physical contact with

Highlights the physical nature of the interaction.

I came into contact with

Focuses on the event of encountering or touching something.

I laid my hands on

Implies a deliberate or significant touch.

I was in contact with

General term indicating nearness or touching.

I felt

Focuses on the sensation of touching something.

I handled

Implies manipulation or careful touching.

I grazed

Suggests a light or glancing touch.

I brushed against

Indicates an accidental or slight touch.

I was feeling

Highlights the sensory experience of touching.

FAQs

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

Use "I was touching" to describe a past action where you were in physical contact with something. For instance, "I was touching the cold metal railing" or "I was touching his arm to get his attention."

What are some alternatives to "I was touching"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "I made contact with", "I handled", or "I felt" instead of "I was touching".

Is it more appropriate to say "I touched" or "I was touching"?

Use "I touched" to describe a completed action in the past, and use "I was touching" to describe an ongoing action in the past. For example, "I touched the painting" implies a single action, while "I was touching the painting" suggests a continuous action over a period of time.

Can "I was touching" have a metaphorical meaning?

While primarily literal, "I was touching" can metaphorically imply influence or connection. However, it's usually clearer to use more direct phrases like "I was influencing" or "I was connecting with" to avoid confusion.