come into contact

USAGE SUMMARY

"come into contact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe two people or things interacting with each other, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. For example, "The two companies came into contact during the merger negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I don't come into contact with germs.

The New York Times

I come into contact with timecards".

The New York Times

What is the best animal you've come into contact with?

The New Yorker

Did anyone else come into contact with the sample?

The New York Times - Sports

How did you first come into contact with Contact?

The Guardian

Today's consumers come into contact with brands at multiple touchpoints.

The Guardian

Meeting and helping the people I come into contact with.

The Guardian

"He's the best cook I've ever come into contact with.

The New York Times

"My default position is to feel entirely responsible for the feelings of everyone I come into contact with, for as long as I come into contact with them".

The Guardian - Books

She continued: "Everyone who has ever come into contact with Iain shares our shock and sadness.

Independent

When two nodes come into contact, they exchange messages.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come into contact" when you want to describe an interaction or encounter between two or more entities, whether physical or abstract. For example, "The product should not "come into contact" with water."

Common error

Avoid using "come into contact" in very informal settings where simpler words like "meet" or "touch" would be more appropriate. This phrase tends to suit neutral to formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come into contact" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action or occurrence. It signifies the act of two or more entities meeting, touching, or interacting, whether physically or figuratively. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come into contact" is a versatile verb phrase widely used to describe interactions and encounters. It is grammatically correct and suitable for neutral to formal contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig. While frequently appearing in scientific and news-related content, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like "meet" or "touch" in informal settings. As Ludwig's examples show, the phrase effectively conveys the idea of two or more entities interacting, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make contact

Highlights the action of establishing a connection.

encounter

A more formal way to express a meeting or confrontation.

get in touch

Focuses on establishing communication or a link.

meet

Simply denotes the act of encountering someone or something.

interact with

Highlights the reciprocal or mutual action.

interface with

Often used in technical contexts to describe interaction between systems.

cross paths

Emphasizes a brief or chance encounter.

bump into

Suggests an unexpected meeting.

be exposed to

Implies a vulnerability or susceptibility during the encounter.

establish communication

Focuses specifically on creating a channel for information exchange.

FAQs

What does "come into contact" mean?

"Come into contact" means to meet, touch, or interact with something or someone. It often implies a physical or direct interaction.

What can I say instead of "come into contact"?

You can use alternatives like "get in touch", "make contact", or "encounter" depending on the context.

How is "come into contact" typically used in a sentence?

"Come into contact" is used to describe an interaction between two or more things. For example, "Ensure the chemicals do not "come into contact" with skin."

Is "come into contact" formal or informal?

"Come into contact" is generally considered neutral to formal. In very casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "meet" or "touch" might be more fitting.