at the very touch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the very touch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reaction or response that occurs immediately upon physical contact or interaction with something. Example: "At the very touch of the fabric, she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Genius is present at the very touch.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The results was hilarious, and at the times very touching: even then, Jeremy's unique mix of humour and dedication was becoming apparent.

The Guardian

There are two other aspects of the blacklisting scandal that may well, at the very least, touch other readers (Digging the dirt, 28 February).

The Guardian

But all of them at the very least touch on the reality of being 35-ish now: closer to death, more boring than we were a decade ago, yet so far away from saving up what MarketWatch recommended.

The Washington Post

Others react to materials such as metals, developing unpleasant rashes at their very touch.

The Economist

They perish at my very touch, I water too little, or too much.

The New York Times

Try to stay away, or at the very least, prevent touching those with active HSV lesions.

WikiHow

If he was lucky that the touch judge failed to spot his toes in touch at the very start of the move that would end with Robshaw's try, his sticky hands under the high ball and shimmying counter-attacking brio deserved their reward.

BBC

Then, at the very second the ball touched my hands, there was an explosion of sound.

The New York Times - Sports

And as a result at the very least, I was touched by greatness.

HuffPost

Put a dot of glue at the very top, but it should touch the very bottom of your eyebrow.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the very touch" to emphasize an immediate or sensitive reaction to physical contact, creating a sense of immediacy and heightened awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "at the very touch" in contexts where there is no literal physical interaction. The phrase is most effective when describing a direct physical response or sensitivity, not for metaphorical or abstract connections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the very touch" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the point at which something occurs, emphasizing the immediacy of a reaction to physical contact. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing sensory experiences and physical reactions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the very touch" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase that emphasizes the immediacy of a response to physical contact. According to Ludwig, it's most effectively used to describe a direct physical reaction or heightened sensitivity to an interaction. While not overly common, it finds its place in various contexts, including news, wiki entries, and scientific discussions, indicating a neutral register. While the phrase is valid, be mindful to use in contexts involving actual physical contact, to prevent misuse. Related phrases such as "upon immediate contact" or "with the slightest contact" can offer suitable alternatives depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon immediate contact

Replaces "at the very touch" with a more formal and direct phrase emphasizing the speed of the reaction.

with the slightest contact

Emphasizes the minimal amount of touch needed to trigger a reaction, focusing on sensitivity.

on initial contact

Highlights the beginning of the interaction, similar to 'at the very touch' but more clinical.

the instant it's touched

Shifts the focus to the object being touched and the immediacy of the event.

as soon as it's touched

Expresses the immediate sequence of events after something is touched.

the moment of contact

Highlights the exact time when contact occurs, providing a specific focus.

at first contact

Similar to 'on initial contact', but slightly less formal.

with a mere touch

Emphasizes the ease and simplicity of triggering a response.

the second it is touched

Emphasizes the temporal proximity between the touch and the resulting event.

immediately upon contact

Adds emphasis to the speed of the reaction after touch.

FAQs

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

Use "at the very touch" to describe something that happens immediately or is triggered by physical contact. For example, "At the very touch of the cold metal, she flinched."

What can I say instead of "at the very touch"?

You can use alternatives like "upon immediate contact", "with the slightest contact", or "on initial contact" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at the very touch" or "with the very touch"?

"At the very touch" is generally more correct when describing an immediate reaction to contact. "With the very touch" might be used in slightly different, more descriptive contexts, but it is less common.

What is the difference between "at the very touch" and "with a touch"?

"At the very touch" emphasizes the immediacy of the response to the contact, while "with a touch" simply indicates that something is done or achieved through touch.