made contact with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made contact with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to communication with someone. For example, "I made contact with my ex-colleague to see if they need help with their project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lips made contact with skin.

The New York Times

He has not made contact with me.

Independent

Than Shwe secretly made contact with Pyongyang.

The New York Times

Villa have not made contact with Coyle.

Independent

I'd made contact with oysters.

The New York Times

She made contact with Trencker.

The Guardian - Film

Finally, I made contact with Anna.

The New York Times

Eventually, I made contact with them.

The New Yorker

He made contact with the gun.

The New York Times

"My wife made contact with the principal at Ross; I made contact with Capital City".

The Economist

But Iyad made contact with a faction that armed him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made contact with" when you want to emphasize a deliberate or successful attempt to communicate or connect with someone or something. It is versatile and applicable in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "made contact with" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very casual conversations where simpler alternatives like "reached out" or "got in touch" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made contact with" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of establishing communication or a physical connection with someone or something. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in various contexts, from professional communication to physical interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made contact with" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe establishing either communication or a physical connection. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also in encyclopedias and scientific publications. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very casual settings. When aiming for concise writing, consider using "contacted" as a direct alternative. With its prevalence in diverse sources and confirmed validity, "made contact with" remains a reliable choice for expressing the act of connecting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got in touch with

Focuses on initiating communication, implying a less formal approach than "made contact with".

reached out to

Emphasizes the effort made to communicate, suggesting a proactive approach.

communicated with

Highlights the act of exchanging information, suitable for formal contexts.

established communication with

Stresses the successful creation of a communication link, often in formal or technical settings.

connected with

Suggests a broader sense of connection, not limited to just communication; can imply a personal link.

was in communication with

Indicates an ongoing exchange of information, emphasizing the duration of the interaction.

liaised with

Implies a professional or official interaction, often involving coordination or collaboration.

interacted with

Highlights an exchange or reciprocal action between parties, not necessarily direct communication.

collided with

Refers to a physical impact, shifting the meaning from communication to a physical event.

bumped into

Implies an accidental or chance encounter, differing from the intentionality of "made contact with".

FAQs

How can I use "made contact with" in a sentence?

You can use "made contact with" to describe initiating communication, as in, "I made contact with the supplier to discuss the details". It can also describe a physical connection, such as, "The car's bumper made contact with the wall".

What phrases are similar to "made contact with"?

Similar phrases include "reached out to", "got in touch with", "communicated with", or "connected with" depending on the specific context.

Is "made contact with" formal or informal?

"Made contact with" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal settings, simpler alternatives like "reached out" or "got in touch" may be preferred.

What's the difference between "made contact with" and "contacted"?

"Contacted" is a more direct and concise alternative to "made contact with". While both are correct, "contacted" is often preferred in formal writing for its brevity. For example, "I contacted the client" is more concise than "I made contact with the client".