just touching base

USAGE SUMMARY

"just touching base" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to check in or follow up with someone. Example: "I'm just touching base to see how the project is progressing." Alternative expressions include "checking in," "following up," and "reaching out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Guy, Just touching base before we submit our 2018 scent pitches to Corporate tomorrow.

The New Yorker

On his office wall there's a poster of one former Brit School student, Katy B, signed "Dear Mr Preston, Just touching base!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Just touching base with you in regards to your article you wrote regarding Justin Timberlake snubbing the event.

TechCrunch

I mash it all together, building my personal "brand" (that is, my name) by sharing anywhere between five and 10 news stories a day on my Facebook feed, sending direct messages to Twitter comments, Facebook groups, "digging" other people's Diggs or blogs and just touching base throughout the day.

Forbes

Please use some common sense and courtesy here: You don't need to message someone every week, especially if you're just "touching base".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Just touch base, that's all.

WikiHow

"Just to touch base.

The New York Times - Sports

"He called me before Thanksgiving just to touch base and said he'd like to talk, and I haven't heard from him since," Mr. Long said.

The New York Times

"It could be as simple as saying you're going to e-mail five people a week just to touch base, or that you're going to set up a lunch with a former co-worker once a month," she said.

The New York Times

Send a weekly email to some of your most valued contacts just to touch base.

WikiHow

Relationships tend to come along with planning--for example, you can't just accept a job across the country without touching base with your significant other.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just touching base" in informal communications when you want to briefly check in without requiring immediate action. It's ideal for quick updates or simple follow-ups.

Common error

Avoid using "just touching base" in highly formal or critical communications. Opt for more professional alternatives like "following up" or "checking in" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just touching base" functions as an idiomatic expression used primarily to initiate contact in a casual and informal manner. It indicates a brief check-in or follow-up, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples, where it appears in emails and articles to denote a quick communication. Ludwig AI suggests that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just touching base" is an idiomatic phrase used for making a quick and informal check-in or follow-up. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and acceptable in written English, though it's more appropriate for informal contexts than formal ones. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. Consider alternatives like "quickly checking in" or "briefly following up" for slightly more formal situations. When writing, avoid overusing the phrase in highly formal communications to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quickly checking in

Replaces "touching base" with a more direct action of checking in; maintains informality and brevity.

briefly following up

Emphasizes the follow-up aspect of the communication; slightly more formal than the original.

short check-in

A noun phrase describing the action; suitable for subject lines or brief mentions.

a quick hello

Simplifies the expression to a casual greeting with an implied purpose.

a fast follow-up

Highlights the speed of the follow-up, suitable when time is of the essence.

getting in contact briefly

Focuses on establishing contact quickly, useful when initiating a conversation.

making a quick contact

Similar to getting in contact, but emphasizes the single instance of contact.

dropping a quick line

An idiomatic expression for sending a short message or note.

pinging you quickly

Modern slang for a brief digital communication, such as an email or message.

shooting you a short message

Similar to "dropping a quick line", but more direct and emphasizes the message content.

FAQs

How can I use "just touching base" in a sentence?

You can use "just touching base" to start an email or a conversation when you want to briefly follow up or check in. For example: "I'm "just touching base" to see if you have any updates on the project".

What's a more formal alternative to "just touching base"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using phrases such as "following up", "checking in", or "reaching out", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "just touching base" in professional emails?

While "just touching base" is widely used and understandable, it's best suited for less formal professional emails. Consider your audience and the nature of the communication; a more formal phrase may be better in certain situations.

What does "just touching base" actually mean?

"Just touching base" means making a brief and informal contact to check in, follow up, or offer a quick update. It implies a light and non-demanding interaction.