a slight contact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight contact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minimal or gentle touch or interaction between two objects or surfaces. Example: "The athlete experienced a slight contact with the opponent during the match, but it did not affect his performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

There had seemed to be a slight contact, enough to meet the referee Horacio Elizondo's criteria.

The Guardian - Sport

Waltrip has thought about it for 10 years, has decided that Dale was doing exactly what he wanted to do, and then there was a slight contact in the moving pack, and Earnhardt made a sharp right turn into the unforgiving wall, into eternity.

The New York Times - Sports

But it seemed from where I was that there was a slight contact.

BBC

"Brady takes a simulation on a slight contact with Joey O'Brien when the ball is not near him or the goal.

BBC

With the benefit of hindsight and television, there was a slight contact but I'm not sure Mark was aware of that.

BBC

"But the laws of the game and the rules will tell you his foot is up and he has had a slight contact.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A very slight contact is best, and no sound effects are needed!

The Guardian - Opinion

"I think there was a very slight contact with the defender [West Ham's Angelo Ogbonna], who was trying to cover.

BBC

We are told that a player is "naïve" if he does not go down after an opponent makes slight contact with him, so we grow ever more tolerant of excessive time-wasting and play-acting or "simulation" (to use the current euphemism).

Independent

Five microlitre of each drug was placed directly on the agar surface using a multichannel pipette and slight contact of the tip to the agar made to leave an impression to facilitate later analysis.

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

The second of the goals came from a penalty, in which a player had felt some slight contact and gone to ground.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing in scientific contexts, consider using "a slight contact" to describe experimental setups or conditions, emphasizing the controlled nature of the physical interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight contact" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler terms like "a touch" or "brush" would be more appropriate. The phrase can sound overly formal or technical in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight contact" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct. Examples show it describing minimal physical interaction in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slight contact" is a grammatically sound and usable English phrase that describes a minimal or gentle touch. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's most commonly found in news, sports reports, and scientific contexts where precision is key. While "a slight contact" is appropriate for neutral to formal settings, simpler terms may be preferred in casual conversation. Related phrases include "a gentle touch" and "a light brush", providing alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimal touch

Highlights the extremely small amount of contact made.

a light brush

Focuses on the minimal pressure involved in the contact.

a gentle touch

Emphasizes the tenderness or delicacy of the contact.

a surface contact

Specifies that only the surfaces came into interaction.

a minor collision

Highlights the accidental nature of the contact, implying a small impact.

a feather-light touch

Uses a simile to emphasize the gentleness of the contact.

a grazing impact

Suggests that the contact was at an angle and not a direct hit.

a faint connection

Emphasizes the tenuousness or lack of firm joining.

a negligible interaction

Downplays the importance or effect of the contact.

a fleeting interaction

Underlines how short or temporary the connection was.

FAQs

What does "a slight contact" mean?

The phrase "a slight contact" refers to a minimal or gentle touch or interaction between two objects or surfaces. It implies that the connection is not forceful or substantial.

How to use "a slight contact" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe minimal physical interaction, like: "The referee determined there was "a slight contact" during the play but didn't call a foul."

Which is correct, "a slight contact" or "slight contact"?

Both phrases are grammatically acceptable; however, "a slight contact" is more common because it includes the article "a", making it a complete noun phrase. "Slight contact" is acceptable in contexts where brevity is preferred, or in headlines.

What can I say instead of "a slight contact"?

You can use alternatives like "a gentle touch", "a light brush", or "a minimal touch" depending on the context.