contact

USAGE SUMMARY

"contact" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person with whom you are in communication or interaction, a connection or link between two or more people, or to reaching someone or a thing in order to interact. For example: "I will contact my sister later today to ask her about the family gathering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't contact me again you make me feel sick".

The Guardian

Contact Annalisa Barbieri, The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU or email [email protected].

The Guardian - Lifestyle

· To contact the MediaGuardian newsdesk email [email protected] or phone [phone] · If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".

The Guardian

Data journalism and data visualisations from the Guardian Search the world's global development data with our gateway Contact us at [email protected] Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook.

The Guardian

· To contact the MediaGuardian newsdesk email [email protected] or phone [phone].

The Guardian

It is designed to ensure that the 50,000 young people "most at risk of starting a life on benefits" find that their first contact with the benefits system is a requirement to undertake community work and search for jobs.

The Guardian

Unfathomable Ruination were in radio contact with organisers on the outside and, happily, the door handle eventually worked.

The Guardian - Arts

I always tried to avoid contact with those violent guards unless it was extremely necessary.

The Guardian

US diplomats in Yemen say they have been in contact with an American citizen whose lawyers consider him to have disappeared from jail in the country.

The Guardian

It was far from a cynical attempt to cheat, any contact with the ball was clearly accidental and most people felt he deserved the benefit of the doubt.

The Guardian - Sport

Q: I would like to request an interview or contact one of your journalists.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contact" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly defines whether you mean physical touch, communication, or a person to communicate with. Consider alternative phrasings like "get in touch with" for conversational contexts.

Common error

The word "contact" can be ambiguous. To ensure clarity, specify the means of communication (e.g., "contact by email") or the type of interaction (e.g., "physical contact").

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contact" is as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a person or thing with whom communication is established. As a verb, it denotes the act of establishing communication. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contact" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, denoting communication, connection, or physical touch. Ludwig AI indicates that it is widely used in various contexts, from formal business settings to casual conversations. While generally correct, clarity is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "get in touch with" or "reach out to" for different nuances. Its prevalent use across diverse sources, as seen in the examples, underscores its importance in effective communication. When crafting your writing, always specify type of "contact".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get in touch with

Replaces "contact" with a more conversational tone, emphasizing the initiation of communication.

reach out to

An informal alternative to "contact", suggesting an attempt to establish communication.

make contact with

Emphasizes the action of establishing communication, similar to "contact".

communicate with

Focuses on the exchange of information rather than the initial connection.

liaise with

Suggests a more formal and professional interaction than a simple "contact".

get ahold of

An informal way to express trying to "contact" someone, often implying difficulty.

be in communication with

Highlights the ongoing nature of the "contact" rather than the initial act.

establish contact with

Emphasizes the creation of a connection, often used in formal settings.

correspond with

Suggests written communication as opposed to other forms of "contact".

interface with

Implies a more structured or technical interaction compared to general "contact".

FAQs

How can I use "contact" in a sentence?

You can use "contact" as a noun, such as "I have a contact at the company", or as a verb, such as "Please contact me if you have any questions".

What are some alternatives to the verb "contact"?

You can use alternatives like "get in touch with", "reach out to", or "communicate with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I will contact to him"?

No, the correct usage is "I will contact him" without the preposition "to". The verb "contact" is directly followed by the object.

What's the difference between "contact" and "liaison"?

"Contact" generally refers to any form of communication or connection. "Liaison", on the other hand, implies a more formal and intermediary role, often facilitating communication between different parties.