does not touch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not touch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not make contact with or affect something else. Example: "The new policy does not touch on the issues that matter most to the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather, any given touching part is still such that a half of it does not touch immediately, and a half of that half does not touch immediately, and so on ad infinitum".

SEP

The refinancing programme does not touch them.

The Economist

He does not touch the stuff!

Harvard University

This, however, does not touch our argument.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He does not touch the originals.

The Guardian - Arts

He does not touch alcohol or coffee.

The Guardian - Tech

"It does not touch me personally," he said.

The New York Times

The cone often does not touch the ground.

Encyclopedia Britannica

AMY DAVIDSON: Ryan does not touch the 47%.

The New Yorker

Make sure the bowl does not touch the water.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Yaziciyan says he does not touch the heron.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical specifications or instructions, use "does not touch" to clearly indicate a necessary separation between components to avoid damage or malfunction. For example, "Make sure the heating element does not touch the container to prevent overheating."

Common error

Avoid using "does not touch" when you mean "does not concern". "Does not touch" implies a physical absence of contact. "Does not concern" refers to a lack of relevance or importance. For example, instead of saying, "The new regulations does not touch employee benefits", say "The new regulations "does not concern" employee benefits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not touch" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the absence of physical contact or influence. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing spatial relationships or the lack of impact of something on another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

25%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not touch" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote a lack of physical contact or influence. According to Ludwig, it is deemed correct and can be effectively employed across various registers, from technical specifications to everyday descriptions. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it's crucial to differentiate its meaning from similar phrases like ""does not affect"" to ensure clarity and precision in writing. Ludwig's examples showcase its wide-ranging applications, solidifying its status as a common and useful phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not affect

Focuses on the lack of influence or impact rather than physical contact.

does not concern

Emphasizes a lack of relevance or connection to a particular subject or person.

does not involve

Highlights the absence of participation or inclusion in something.

remains unaffected by

Indicates that something is not changed or influenced by something else.

is separate from

Stresses the distinction and lack of connection between two things.

does not interact with

Implies a lack of communication or exchange between entities.

is isolated from

Highlights the condition of being separate and not connected to others.

does not adjoin

Specifically refers to not being next to or sharing a boundary with something else.

does not impinge on

Suggests that something doesn't encroach upon or negatively affect something else.

lies apart from

Indicates a physical or conceptual separation between entities.

FAQs

How can I use "does not touch" in a sentence?

Use "does not touch" to indicate a lack of physical contact or a lack of impact or relevance. For example, "The wheel does not touch the ground" or "This law "does not affect" small businesses".

What's the difference between "does not touch" and "does not affect"?

"Does not touch" primarily implies a lack of physical contact, while ""does not affect"" indicates a lack of influence or impact. Use "does not touch" when physical separation is the key point. For example, "The brush does not touch the canvas".

What can I say instead of "does not touch"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""does not affect"", "does not involve", or "is separate from". Consider the specific meaning you want to convey when choosing a substitute.

Is it correct to say "doesn't touch" instead of "does not touch"?

Yes, "doesn't touch" is the contracted form of "does not touch" and is perfectly acceptable in most contexts. It's generally preferred in informal writing and speech, while "does not touch" may be more appropriate for formal or technical writing.