commonly touched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonly touched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe objects or surfaces that are frequently handled or interacted with by people. Example: "The commonly touched surfaces in the office, such as doorknobs and light switches, should be disinfected regularly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Any commonly touched surface.

Independent

Racism is probably the most commonly touched chord in the common readings.

The Guardian - Opinion

And a study last year from the University of Arizona found that when someone comes into work sick, about half of the commonly touched surfaces such as telephones, desktops, tabletops, doorknobs, photocopier, lift buttons and the office fridge will become infected with the virus by lunchtime.

The Guardian - Money

The pathogens were placed on surfaces commonly touched in planes including armrests, plastic tray tables, and window shades to see where they thrived best.

Science Magazine

A further longer study in an intensive care unit showed a sustained reduction of 83% in microbial surface counts on six commonly touched Cu containing surfaces and numbers on control surfaces were also reduced (Schmidt et al., 2012).

AMB Express

To assess the ability of copper alloy surfaces to mitigate the bacterial burden associated with commonly touched surfaces in conjunction with daily and terminal cleaning in rural hospital settings.

American Journal of Infection Control

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Persons commonly touch their own faces subconsciously, and 1 videotaped observational study found that persons touched their own eyes, nostrils, and lips 16 times per hour during normal activities (18).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Biofield therapies, e.g. External Qigong, Healing Touch, Johrei, Reiki and Therapeutic Touch, commonly combine physical touch and non-physical contact to stimulate healing.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Similarly, Konečni (2005) assumes that the state of being moved or touched is commonly accompanied by the physiological responses of chills or thrills.

Biological Psychology

In addition, 10 μl aliquots of S. warneri were inoculated and allowed to desiccate on 1 cm2 areas on sites that are frequently touched but not commonly cleaned (i.e., the undersurface of the edge of the bedside table, the undersurface of the bed rail, and the lateral drawer handle of the bedside table).

BMC Infectious Diseases

A 5 × 20 cm area of the undersurface of the edge of the bedside table was also cultured because observations indicated that it is a site that is frequently touched but not commonly cleaned and not easily amenable to manual application of disinfectant.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing hygiene, use "commonly touched" to emphasize the need for frequent cleaning and disinfection of surfaces to prevent the spread of germs.

Common error

While "commonly touched" is widely understood, avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise terms like "frequently handled surfaces" or "high-contact areas" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly touched" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate surfaces or objects frequently handled by multiple people. As stated by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "commonly touched" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that describes surfaces or objects that are often handled by multiple people. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is indeed considered correct. It is especially prevalent in contexts related to science, health, and hygiene, where the emphasis is on preventing the spread of germs. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "frequently handled" in highly formal or scientific writing to maintain a professional tone. The phrase serves as a neutral way of describing something that sees contact with multiple individuals on a regular basis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frequently handled

Focuses on the action of handling, highlighting the frequency with which something is touched.

often used

Shifts the focus to the usage rather than the physical contact, implying frequent interaction.

regularly contacted

Emphasizes the regularity of contact, suitable for formal or scientific contexts.

commonly used

Focuses on the frequency of being used, rather than the physical act of touching.

high-traffic surfaces

Uses a more metaphorical approach, focusing on the high level of interaction.

much-used

A shorter, more concise way to express frequent usage or handling.

heavily used

Similar to 'often used' but emphasizes the intensity of use.

public surfaces

Focuses on surfaces available to the public, emphasizing shared use but not necessarily high contact.

shared surfaces

Highlights the aspect of sharing and common use among multiple people.

communal objects

Indicates objects that are for common use and are touched by a variety of individuals.

FAQs

How can I use "commonly touched" in a sentence?

You can use "commonly touched" to describe surfaces or objects that many people handle regularly, such as "The CDC recommends cleaning "commonly touched" surfaces to prevent the spread of viruses".

What's a good synonym for "commonly touched"?

Alternatives include "frequently handled", "often used", or "high-traffic surfaces", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "commonly touched" in formal writing?

Yes, it is generally correct, but in some formal or scientific contexts, more precise terms like "frequently handled surfaces" or "high-contact areas" may be preferable.

What items are considered "commonly touched"?

"Commonly touched" items include doorknobs, light switches, handles, phones, keyboards, and other surfaces frequently contacted by multiple people. Regular cleaning of these "commonly touched" items is crucial for hygiene.