lost touch

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost touch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to having lost contact with someone, either because of a lack of communication or a physical distance. Example: "We used to be close, but I think we've lost touch since he moved away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They lost touch.

The New York Times

"To have lost touch".

The New Yorker

Then we lost touch.

The New York Times

"I lost touch".

The New York Times

The friends lost touch.

The New York Times

We lost touch.

The New Yorker

"Well, we'd lost touch".

The New Yorker

The longest you lost touch?

The New York Times

The two women lost touch.

The New York Times

They never lost touch.

The Guardian

And he lost touch.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost touch", be mindful of the implication of the duration, eventual circumstances and/or reasons behind this lack of interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "lost touch" when referring to temporary lapses in communication. This phrase implies a more significant or lasting disconnection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost touch" functions as a verb phrase indicating a cessation or significant reduction in communication or contact. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig showcase its use in describing broken relationships, geographical separations, and changing life circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost touch" is a verb phrase commonly used to describe the end or significant reduction of communication or contact between individuals or entities. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, but also used in other contexts, it carries a neutral register, making it suitable for varied situations. When using "lost touch", it's essential to consider the implication of duration and circumstances. Alternatives such as "fallen out of contact" or "drifted apart" can provide nuanced meaning depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fallen out of contact

This alternative emphasizes the state of being no longer in communication.

no longer in contact

This states the current condition of lacking contact.

broken contact

This phrase directly states that the contact has been interrupted.

ceased communication

This phrase focuses on the ending of communication between parties.

discontinued communication

This formal alternative indicates a deliberate ending of communication.

ceased to correspond

This alternative underlines the end of correspondence.

grown apart

This suggests an emotional or relational distancing in addition to lack of contact.

drifted apart

This implies a gradual separation over time.

become estranged

This suggests a more severe and emotional separation.

parted ways

This emphasizes the divergence of paths and interests.

FAQs

How can I use "lost touch" in a sentence?

You can use "lost touch" to describe a situation where people who were once in contact no longer communicate regularly, like "We used to be close friends, but we "lost touch" after college."

What does it mean to have "lost touch"?

To have ""lost touch"" means that you no longer communicate regularly with someone you used to know or be close to.

What are some alternatives to saying "lost touch"?

Instead of ""lost touch"", you could say "drifted apart", "fallen out of contact", or "ceased communication", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "loss touch" instead of "lost touch"?

No, "loss touch" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""lost touch"", where "lost" is the past tense of "lose".