in immediate contact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in immediate contact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two objects or entities are touching or closely interacting with each other without any intervening space. Example: "The two surfaces must be in immediate contact to ensure a proper seal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Woods took to the Old Course on Saturday, where he disclosed McIlroy had been in immediate contact.

The Guardian - Sport

Penecontemporaneous dolomites would result from the positioning of sabkhas and arid supratidal flats in a site that is in immediate contact with carbonate sediment; diagenetic dolomites would logically result when such dolomite-producing settings overlie older limestone deposits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is not in immediate contact with the epidermis, for the dorsal mesoderm grows up around it and around the roots of the cranial nerves as a covering, separating the brain from the epidermis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was a good-faith effort to help some men and women who I felt had a very difficult job and were easily injured because they were in immediate contact with inmates who sometimes don't care if they push you or shove you or what," said Andrew P. O'Rourke, who was Westchester's county executive when the clause was signed in March 1989.

The New York Times

MATTATHIAS SCHWARTZ: In retrospect, some of the reasons that the "Occupy" tactic might have taken off so quickly are: It is fairly easy; it is highly visible and public; it requires a certain amount of work/commitment; it quickly attracts media attention; it puts participants in immediate contact with other participants; it is known to have worked in other protests.

The New Yorker

One route is by the entry of neurosecretory-cell fibres from the hypothalamus into the adenohypophysis, so that the hypothalamic factors, when released, are either in immediate contact with the secretory cells (Figure 1B) or in blood capillaries very closely related to them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Stippling tends to occur when someone is shot from relatively close range rather than in more immediate contact with a weapon.

The Guardian

In coordination with the treating clinicians, critical events in which an immediate contact to the SCAN should occur are listed individually.

BMC Cancer

Now, Ahlerich said, teams have a chance to "tie down their numbers" in terms of establishing contacts with all levels of law enforcement in situations where immediate contact is required.

The New York Times - Sports

The persistent local presence at OVT has helped the IGEPN to have a close evaluation of evolving eruptive activity and be in close and immediate contact with local authorities and the public.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Fortunately, Opal was just staring at it in bewilderment and had no immediate contact with it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in immediate contact" to emphasize the speed and ease of communication or interaction. This highlights the responsiveness of a system or individual.

Common error

While "in immediate contact" is suitable for describing physical touch or direct communication, avoid using it in overly abstract contexts where the connection is conceptual rather than tangible. Consider alternative phrases like "directly related" or "closely linked" for abstract ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in immediate contact" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the state of being directly connected or touching without any intervening medium. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Huffington Post

6%

International Nano Letters

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in immediate contact" is a versatile expression primarily used to describe a direct, unmediated connection or physical touch between entities. Grammatically sound and confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun. While suitable for formal and scientific contexts, its use in abstract contexts should be approached with care. Semantically related phrases like "in direct contact" and "in close proximity" offer alternatives depending on the intended nuance. Usage patterns indicate commonality in science, news media, and encyclopedic contexts, underlining its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in direct contact

Replaces "immediate" with "direct", emphasizing a lack of intermediaries.

in close proximity

Focuses on physical nearness rather than direct interaction.

directly adjacent

Highlights the side by side positioning of the elements.

in touching distance

Implies that someone or something is near enough to be touched.

in short range

Emphasizes that someone or something isn't distant.

in close contact

Synonymous with the query but with a stronger emphasis on continued interaction.

in direct relationship

Emphasizes a direct connection, can be abstract.

in front of

Emphasizes the placement in the space.

in instant communication

Emphasizes instant connection by means of communication.

immediately connected

Focuses on the aspect of the connection between two elements.

FAQs

How can I use "in immediate contact" in a sentence?

You can use "in immediate contact" to describe physical touching or a direct connection. For example, "The two surfaces must be in immediate contact for the adhesive to work effectively."

What are some alternatives to "in immediate contact"?

Alternatives include "in direct contact", "in close proximity", or "directly adjacent", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "in immediate contact" or "in close contact"?

Both "in immediate contact" and "in close contact" are correct, but "in immediate contact" emphasizes a more direct, less mediated connection. "In close contact" can imply ongoing interaction or communication.

When should I use "in direct contact" instead of "in immediate contact"?

Use "in direct contact" when you want to emphasize that there are no intermediaries or intervening steps in the connection. "In immediate contact" focuses more on the lack of physical space or time delay.