been in touch with

USAGE SUMMARY

"been in touch with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that you have had communication with someone, either via written or verbal means. For example: "I haven't been in touch with my old friends for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Have you been in touch with Sean Avery?

The New York Times

"I've been in touch with Dr. Riyadh and his family.

The New York Times

Have you been in touch with his mother?

The New York Times - Magazine

"I have been in touch with a couple of bidders.

Independent

Had she been in touch with Mona all along?

The New Yorker

Richards asked if she had been in touch with Coward.

The New Yorker

She had now been in touch with all the archives.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He has been in touch with his family.

The Guardian

She has been in touch with Sollecito throughout the retrial.

The Guardian

Q: Have you been in touch with the family?

The Guardian

"We have been in touch with the committee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been in touch with" when you want to emphasize an ongoing or repeated connection, rather than a single instance of contact.

Common error

Avoid using "been in touch with" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "communicated with" or "corresponded with" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been in touch with" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject with a state of having communicated with someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English. It indicates a relationship or communication that has occurred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been in touch with" is a versatile phrase used to indicate communication or contact between individuals or entities. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in various contexts. While it is most commonly found in news and media, its neutral register allows for broader application. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "communicated with" or "corresponded with". Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's widespread usage and contextual adaptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been in communication with

A more formal and slightly lengthier version.

contacted

A direct and concise way of saying someone was reached.

reached out to

Implies an effort to initiate contact.

communicated with

Emphasizes the act of conveying information, more formal.

exchanged messages with

Highlights the back-and-forth nature of communication.

connected with

Suggests a broader range of interaction, possibly including social media or networking.

corresponded with

Implies written communication, often over a period.

spoken to

Specifically refers to verbal communication.

liaised with

Suggests a professional or collaborative context.

had a conversation with

Emphasizes the exchange of ideas and dialogue.

FAQs

How can I use "been in touch with" in a sentence?

You can use "been in touch with" to indicate that you have communicated with someone. For example, "I haven't "been in touch with" my family lately" or "She has "been in touch with" the lawyers regarding the case".

What are some alternatives to "been in touch with"?

Alternatives include "communicated with", "contacted", "corresponded with", or "reached out to", depending on the specific context.

Is "been in touch with" appropriate for formal writing?

While "been in touch with" is widely understood, it may be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "communicated with" or "liaised with".

What's the difference between "been in touch with" and "contacted"?

"Been in touch with" often implies a continuing or recurring communication, whereas "contacted" can refer to a single instance of communication. For example, "I have "been in touch with" her regularly" suggests ongoing communication, while "I "contacted" her yesterday" implies a single event.