at the touch

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the touch" is a grammatically correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used in various contexts as an alternative to "upon/on/at the touch of/on something." For example, "His fingertips were hot at the touch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the touch of his light, roaches scuttled for cover.

The New Yorker

Made a dub at the touch of a button.

The New Yorker

The meat, beef shoulder clod, falls apart at the touch.

The New York Times

It spun in circles at the touch of an oar.

The New York Times - Arts

You can reveal things at the touch of a button.

The Guardian

Old life preservers made of cork crumbled at the touch.

The New York Times

They move at the touch of an iron pedal.

The Guardian - Arts

It collapsed at the touch of a fork.

The New York Times - Food

"It's not on call at the touch of the finger.

The New York Times - Books

It flaked at the touch of a fork.

The New York Times

I just love texting and the music being right there at the touch of a button.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the touch" to emphasize the sensitivity or responsiveness of something, particularly in technical or descriptive contexts. It suggests an immediate and often effortless reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "at the touch" when describing purely conceptual or abstract triggers. This phrase works best when there's a tangible, physical interaction involved. For abstract contexts, consider using "upon consideration" or "with awareness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the touch" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to indicate the trigger or means by which an action occurs. It signifies immediacy and direct causation, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

6%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the touch" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe actions triggered immediately by physical contact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often found in news and media, and formal business contexts to emphasize ease and responsiveness. When writing, using "at the touch" can effectively highlight the sensitivity of a system or object. Remember to avoid using it in purely abstract contexts, as its strength lies in depicting tangible interactions. Alternatives like "with a tap" or "upon contact" can be used depending on the desired nuance. In conclusion, "at the touch" is a valuable tool in descriptive writing, provided it's applied appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the press of

Similar to 'at the touch of', but specifically mentions 'press'.

on finger contact

Highlights direct finger contact with the item.

with a tap

Focuses on a single, light action rather than a sustained connection.

upon contact

More formal and emphasizes the moment of physical connection.

on activation

Highlights the action of starting or initiating something.

by pressing

Specifically refers to applying pressure, often to a button or switch.

with a click

Emphasizes an audible, immediate response.

via a simple gesture

Highlights ease and intuitiveness, especially in modern interfaces.

through haptic input

Technical term for touch-based interaction.

by means of physical interaction

Very formal, general description of the act of touching.

FAQs

How can I use "at the touch" in a sentence?

You can use "at the touch" to describe something that happens immediately when something or someone is touched, like "The lamp turned on "at the touch" of a button".

What are some alternatives to "at the touch"?

Some alternatives include "with a tap", "upon contact", or "on activation", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "at the touch of a button" or "with the touch of a button"?

"At the touch of a button" is generally preferred as it emphasizes the immediacy and ease of the action. "With the touch of a button" is also grammatically correct but less common.

What does "at the touch" imply about the action being described?

The phrase "at the touch" implies that the action is triggered by a physical interaction and happens quickly and easily. It suggests a direct cause-and-effect relationship.