after a touch of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after a touch of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of something added to enhance or modify a situation or object. Example: "The dish was delightful, especially after a touch of lemon juice was added."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

After a touch of anxiety, Ms. Goldstein laughed it off.

The New York Times

United must, very occasionally, hanker after a touch of the old devil-may-care outlook.

The Guardian - Sport

After a touch of skill from the midfielder, his shot took a wicked deflection off Newey, almost diverting it beyond Barnes.

The Guardian - Sport

Froome began the day in fifth overall, but fell just five kilometres into the first stage on French soil after a touch of wheels in the peloton.

BBC

So, after a touch of driving and dancing, it's time for a little bit of flying.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In fact, at my younger son's high school graduation, at the after-party, I noted a touch of my ex-husband's discomfort.

Huffington Post

He has started the campaign impressively for City, after Guardiola employed a touch of his own psychology by phoning the winger during the close season to tell of his admiration for him.

The Guardian - Sport

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 fashions ranged from dress up for the opera or the gala, to simple-after-5 to casual with a touch of fur to include sequins, ruffles and lace with exquisite colorful fabric.

Huffington Post

AFTER a long winter, spring brought a touch of sunshine to American house prices.

The Economist

[laughs] —– After the screening of "A Touch of Sin" and before Jia Zhangke did one-on-one interviews, he engaged for about 20 minutes in a free-flowing conversation with the journalists he had invited to his office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the nuanced change brought on by the slight addition, consider pairing "after a touch of" with descriptive adjectives that highlight the quality or effect of the alteration.

Common error

Avoid using "after a touch of" when the subsequent event drastically changes the initial state. This phrase implies subtlety, so reserve it for describing minor enhancements or nuances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a touch of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates a temporal sequence where a slight addition or alteration influences the subsequent situation. Ludwig shows its use in news articles and other contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after a touch of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe a nuanced enhancement or modification following an initial event. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting its broad applicability. While not overly formal, its use implies a subtle yet impactful alteration. For more formal settings, alternatives like "subsequent to a tinge of" may be considered. It's crucial to avoid using the phrase when the subsequent event drastically alters the initial state, as it suggests subtlety rather than a major transformation. The examples Ludwig provides demonstrate the phrase's effectiveness in conveying minor, positive changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a hint of

This phrase conveys a subtle addition or element present after something else, emphasizing the delicacy of the added component.

following a trace of

This alternative highlights the presence of a minimal amount of something subsequent to a previous state or action.

with a dash of

Similar to "hint", this phrase indicates a small quantity added after an initial occurrence, often used in cooking or abstract senses.

post a glimmer of

Emphasizes a subtle appearance or indication occurring after a specific event or action.

subsequent to a tinge of

This alternative is more formal and highlights a slight influence or quality that comes after something else.

in the wake of a shade of

Implies that a subtle element appears as a consequence or result after an initial event.

on the heels of a speck of

This highlights a small or insignificant amount following closely after a previous event.

resulting from a soupçon of

Borrowed from French, this phrase suggests a very small amount or trace following a particular situation.

ensuing a whisper of

Highlights a subtle and barely noticeable element that follows after a preliminary condition.

succeeding a shadow of

Suggests something that appears after a preceding event but remains vague or indistinct.

FAQs

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

You can use "after a touch of" to describe a slight addition or alteration that occurs subsequent to an initial action or state. For instance, "The performance improved significantly "after a touch of rehearsal"".

What are some alternatives to "after a touch of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "with a hint of", "following a trace of", or "with a dash of", each conveying a subtle addition or modification.

Is it appropriate to use "after a touch of" in formal writing?

Yes, "after a touch of" can be appropriate in formal writing, particularly when describing nuanced changes or subtle enhancements. However, consider the overall tone and select alternatives like "subsequent to a tinge of" for increased formality if needed.

What's the difference between "after a touch of" and "because of"?

"After a touch of" implies a sequence where a slight addition or change influences a later state, while "because of" indicates direct causation. For example, "The flavor improved after a touch of salt" suggests enhancement, whereas "The game was canceled because of rain" indicates direct cause.