on touching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on touching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or reaction that occurs when something comes into contact with another object or surface. Example: "On touching the hot stove, she quickly pulled her hand back to avoid getting burned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On touching down, we headed straight to the Knap of Howar, one of the few human settlements that's even older than Skara Brae.

The Guardian

It was a catalogue of terrifying lurches from one catastrophe to another – just brilliant for music". Piccard and Kipfer planned on touching down in the Adriatic.

The Guardian

Other experts, though, focus on touching up blemishes and shine.

The New York Times

"The ban on touching muscles is just not on," the judge said.

The Guardian

Mr. Reeves sometimes expressed frustration with fans who insisted on touching his muscles.

The New York Times

I hadn't planned on touching those lousy investments until retirement, anyway.

The New York Times

On touching down in Japan, they would be marched away in handcuffs.And so, like clockwork, it all happened.

The Economist

According to the White House, Trump plans on touching on the U.S. economy and increased security cooperation.

The Washington Post

The empire was hardly built on touching your relatives and schoolfriends at inappropriate moments, or at least not at first.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Later, as I'm patting his head, he starts chewing my coat, an equine variant on touching the hem.

The Guardian - Sport

We focused our efforts on touching up last year's lead remediation at 25 Whittlesey by planting some replacement perennials and laying a new layer of mulch.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on touching" to describe an immediate reaction or event that happens directly after physical contact. For example, "On touching the ice, he shivered."

Common error

Do not use "on touching" if you want to express a state of being in contact over a period; instead, use "in contact with" or a similar phrase to convey ongoing interaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on touching" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating the condition or timing related to a physical contact. This aligns with Ludwig's affirmation of its correctness, evidenced in various examples illustrating actions or reactions occurring upon or as a result of touching.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

25%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on touching" serves as a prepositional phrase that describes an immediate action or reaction following physical contact. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general reference. While it maintains a neutral register, it's crucial to differentiate its use from phrases denoting continuous contact. This analysis, incorporating insights from Ludwig AI, provides a robust understanding of the phrase's function, purpose, and appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon contact with

This phrase emphasizes the moment of physical interaction, similar to "on touching" but more formal.

when touched

This alternative focuses on the action of being touched, shifting the emphasis slightly.

at the touch of

This suggests a more delicate or sensitive interaction, often implying a reaction or effect.

in contact with

This indicates a state of being physically connected, rather than the action of touching itself.

by feeling

This highlights the sensory aspect of touch, focusing on the experience of feeling something.

through tactile interaction

This is a more technical and formal way of describing physical contact.

as soon as it's touched

This phrase emphasizes the immediacy of the event following the touch.

after physical contact

This emphasizes the sequence of events after something is touched.

with the act of touching

This focuses on the action rather than the moment.

upon experiencing touch

Highlights the sensory experience of touch from the subject's perspective.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "on touching" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "upon contact with" or "after physical contact", depending on the context.

Is "on touching" interchangeable with "when touched"?

While similar, "when touched" emphasizes the action of being touched, while "on touching" focuses more on the moment of initiating the physical contact and the subsequent action.

What's the difference between "on touching" and "in contact with"?

"On touching" describes an event that immediately follows the act of touching, whereas "in contact with" describes a continuous state of physical connection.

When is it appropriate to use "on touching" in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "on touching" is appropriate when describing an immediate response or effect resulting from physical contact, such as "On touching the electrode, the circuit completed".