a touch of a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

This is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation when someone feels a slight chill or feeling of coldness. For example: "I felt a touch of a cold as I stepped onto the balcony."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A touch of a roadhouse.

The New York Times - Magazine

High-profile product failures, job cuts and corporate restructuring, allegations of collusion with generic-drug makers to spin out precious patents, and the furore over drug pricing in America and Africa all point to an industry with a touch of cold.But a clutch of company results this week show the biggest firms to be generally in fine fettle.

The Economist

Taking heli-skiing up a notch or two, with a touch of Cold War charmlessness and smoking volcanoes thrown into the mix, Kamchatka is in the far east of Russia and offers some of the most adventurous skiing on the planet.

The Guardian - Travel

After the sales frenzy, a touch of cold air; after shared work, the staff's break-up into individuals going their own ways.

The New York Times

The final step, which is optional but I recommend it, is to add a touch of cold butter, cream, creme fraiche, maybe even finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, which will round out any sharp edges, unlock a few more flavors and produce a luscious texture.

The Washington Post

The disease is transmitted by physical contact, usually but not necessarily sexual; it seems, for instance, that simple touching of a cold sore followed by touching of the genitals may be enough to cause genital herpes.

The Economist

The ideal dessert, after such heavy fare, is the ripe poached pear with a touch of mascarpone in a peppercorn-scented cold sour cherry and mango soup.

The New York Times

At another table, an industrial packaging duke from Nassau County was burning off a hard day on the job with a touch of hot jazz and several rounds of cold drinks.

The New York Times

(To give freesia a cold, metallic edge, a touch of allyl amyl glycolate is added).

The New Yorker

(To give freesia a cold, metallic edge, a touch of allyl amyl glycolate is added). The smell of orange blossom is made by combining linalool and methyl anthranilate, which smells like Concord grapes.

The New Yorker

Mr Blair was waiting for him at the end of a red carpet.In a touch reminiscent of cold war summits, Mr Putin was followed by two naval officers carrying what is said to be Russia's nuclear briefcase.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a minor illness, consider using more common phrases like "a slight cold" or "a touch of a chill" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it may sound awkward or less natural compared to more conventional alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch of a cold" functions as a noun phrase, specifically indicating a minor or initial stage of a cold. Although Ludwig AI states the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, examples of its usage are missing.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a touch of a cold" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a slight or early-stage cold. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable, but real-world examples are missing and therefore alternative sentences exist that are more common and may be more useful. Consider using alternatives like "a slight cold" or "a bit of a cold" for increased clarity and naturalness. While the phrase is understandable, its uncommon usage might make communication less direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mild cold

Replaces "touch of" with "mild" to emphasize a low severity illness.

a slight cold

Replaces "touch of" with "slight" to indicate a mild illness.

a bit of a cold

Substitutes "touch" with "bit" to suggest a small amount of illness.

a touch of a chill

Replaces "cold" with "chill" to focus on the feeling of coldness.

a fleeting cold

Substitutes "touch" with "fleeting" to suggest a short-lived sensation of coldness or illness.

the beginnings of a cold

Emphasizes the initial stage of developing a cold.

an early cold

Focuses on the onset and initial phase.

a hint of a cold

Uses "hint" to suggest a very subtle indication of illness.

a touch of malaise

Shifts from cold to a general feeling of unwellness.

a touch of the flu

Replaces "cold" with "flu" to imply similar symptoms.

FAQs

What does "a touch of a cold" mean?

It refers to a slight or mild feeling of being unwell, often indicating the early stages of a cold. It suggests the symptoms are not severe.

What can I say instead of "a touch of a cold"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight cold", "a bit of a cold", or "the beginnings of a cold" depending on the context.

Is "a touch of a cold" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, although it is not the most common way to express the idea of a mild cold. Ludwig AI also confirms this.

How can I use "a touch of a cold" in a sentence?

Example: "I think I'm getting "a touch of a cold"; I've been sneezing all morning." Consider more common alternatives for clarity.