by touching the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by touching the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action that involves physical contact with an object or surface. Example: "You can unlock the door by touching the sensor located on the handle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The device is controlled by touching the tabletop display.

The New York Times - Tech

By touching the baby, the senior will be touched, too.

The Guardian - Books

A human "driver" could always take control simply by touching the steering wheel.

The Guardian - Tech

They approve payments by touching the fingerprint reader on their device.

The Economist

"You would get electronic noise by touching the camera on a certain spot," Mr. Grunsky said.

The New York Times

By touching the computer, it becomes not as intimidating, it's not as scary.

The New York Times

The countdown begins automatically; you can pause it by touching the numerals.

The New York Times - Tech

The passenger can operate it by touching the screen (or else).

The New York Times

This could be done either by touching the display or by voice commands".

The New York Times - Tech

Melodies are produced by touching the harmonic nodes of the playing string with the thumb.

The Guardian - Music

'An iPad – a sort of computer you operate by touching the images on its screen.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing interactions with digital interfaces, use "by touching the" to clearly indicate physical contact with the screen or device.

Common error

In formal or scientific writing, avoid overuse of "by touching the". Consider more concise alternatives like "through contact with" or "via tactile interaction" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by touching the" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a means or method of achieving a certain result. Ludwig confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by touching the" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and commonality across diverse contexts. It serves to specify the method of interaction via physical contact. While its register is primarily neutral, being used in news, science, and wiki content, you might consider more formal alternatives in academic writing. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for describing actions performed through physical interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through touching the

Replaces "by" with "through", emphasizing the means of interaction.

via touching the

Substitutes "by" with "via", indicating the method of interaction.

by physical contact with the

Adds specificity by explicitly mentioning physical contact.

through making contact with the

Rephrases "touching" as "making contact", offering a slightly more formal tone.

using touch on the

Emphasizes the use of touch as the means of interaction.

with a touch to the

Highlights a single instance of touching.

upon touching the

Uses "upon" to indicate immediacy of the action.

by applying pressure to the

Specifies the kind of touching involved as applying pressure.

through tactile interaction with the

Introduces a more technical or formal term for touching.

by manually operating the

Suggests a deliberate action of using hands.

FAQs

How can I use "by touching the" in a sentence?

Use "by touching the" to describe an action that is performed through physical contact with something. For example, "You can activate the device "by touching the" screen".

What phrases are similar to "by touching the"?

Alternatives include "through touching the", "via touching the", or "by physical contact with the".

Is it correct to say "by touching on the" instead of "by touching the"?

While "by touching the" is generally correct, "by touching on the" is less common and may sound awkward. It's usually better to stick with the simpler ""by touching the"".

When should I use a more formal alternative to "by touching the"?

In formal or scientific writing, consider using alternatives like "through tactile interaction with the" or "through making contact with the".