fall out of touch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall out of touch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to losing communication or connection with someone over time. Example: "After moving to a different city, I started to fall out of touch with my old friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

So we don't want to fall out of touch again".

The New York Times

Many alumni fall out of touch and the university has few people in Africa.

The Guardian

When Anderson took the University of Alabama-Birmingham job, he and Richardson did not fall out of touch.

The New York Times - Sports

But every couple years, a few distant cousins or nieces fall out of touch, and the happiness seems a bit less carefree.

The Washington Post

Afraid of admitting that their business is slow, some owners fall out of touch with people who could send them referrals.

The New York Times

Yet I am also resolutely unwilling to surrender one of the few uncomplicated pleasures in what has become an increasingly complicated life — and the tether it provides to friends I might otherwise fall out of touch with.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

They fell out of touch.

The New York Times

They'd fallen out of touch.

The New Yorker

After Ryan graduated, they fell out of touch.

The New York Times - Sports

Tim and Armin fell out of touch shortly after that.

The New York Times - Magazine

After Wasil fell out of touch, I wrote again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall out of touch" to describe a gradual process of losing contact with someone, often due to life changes or distance. It implies a natural drifting apart rather than a deliberate cutting off of communication.

Common error

Avoid using "fall out of touch" when you mean a deliberate and decisive end to a relationship. "Fall out of touch" suggests a passive drifting apart, while "cut off contact" implies an active choice to end communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall out of touch" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verb phrase within a sentence. It describes the process of gradually losing communication or connection with someone. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fall out of touch" is a grammatically sound and usable idiomatic expression that describes a gradual loss of contact or communication. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides examples from reliable sources, primarily within the News & Media context. While the phrase is appropriate for neutral to informal settings, it's essential to distinguish it from more deliberate actions like "cutting off contact". Alternatives such as "lose contact" or "drift apart" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When writing, remember that "fall out of touch" best suits situations where the disconnection is a natural consequence of circumstances rather than a conscious decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no longer keep in touch

Explicitly states the absence of maintaining communication.

lose contact

Indicates a cessation of communication, often more abrupt than "fall out of touch".

lose connection

Highlights the loss of a bond or relationship.

drift apart

Suggests a gradual emotional distancing, not necessarily a complete stop in communication.

become disconnected

Similar to losing connection, emphasizes a break in the bond.

grow distant

Focuses on the increasing emotional distance between individuals.

go separate ways

Focuses on diverging paths in life leading to disconnection.

become estranged

Implies a more severe and formal separation, often with negative connotations.

stop communicating

Directly states the cessation of communication.

cease contact

A more formal way to express stopping communication.

FAQs

What does it mean to "fall out of touch" with someone?

To "fall out of touch" means to gradually lose communication or contact with someone over time, often due to distance, changing circumstances, or simply drifting apart. It implies a lack of regular communication rather than an intentional decision to end the relationship.

What are some alternatives to "fall out of touch"?

You can use alternatives like "lose contact", "drift apart", or "grow distant" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "fell out of touch"?

Yes, "fell out of touch" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. It's used to describe a situation where you have already lost contact with someone.

What's the difference between "fall out of touch" and "lose contact"?

"Fall out of touch" suggests a gradual process of losing communication, while "lose contact" can imply a more sudden or abrupt cessation of communication. However, in many contexts, they are used interchangeably.