out of contact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of contact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is not in communication with another person or group. Example: "After the storm hit, many residents were out of contact with the outside world for several days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Corsi noted to his followers three times that agents had taken Malloch's cellphone, warning: "Ted OUT OF CONTACT".

The Guardian

I won't be out of contact.

The New York Times

"I can't be out of contact," he confided.

The New York Times

She keeps him out of contact sports as well.

The New York Times

They'd been out of contact for over a week.

The Guardian - Books

He participated in practice, but sat out of contact drills.

The New York Times - Sports

"We tried to get hold of the [kafala] owner but they were out of contact and are still out of contact.

The Guardian

They passed the ball well out of contact and we kept going backwards.

The Guardian - Sport

He was out of sight and out of contact with his home planet.

The Guardian

By March 26, they had been out of contact for several days.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We have studied experimentally jump-to-contact (JC) and jump-out-of-contact (JOC) phenomena in gold electrodes.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of contact", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the lack of communication, whether it's due to travel, technical issues, or personal circumstances. For example: "Due to the remote location, the research team was out of contact for several days."

Common error

Avoid using "out of contact" when referring to a brief, momentary lapse in communication. The phrase usually implies a more extended period of disconnection. Use "momentarily unavailable" instead for short durations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of contact" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of being unreachable or not in communication. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of contact" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a state of being unreachable or not in communication. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Scientific and Formal & Business contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it is essential to use it when referring to extended periods of disconnection. Alternatives like "unreachable" or "incommunicado" can be considered based on context. Avoid using it for momentary communication lapses. The phrase demonstrates strong grammatical standing, is sourced from authoritative sources, and exhibits consistent usage across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreachable

This single-word alternative directly implies an inability to establish communication.

out of communication

Similar to "out of contact", but emphasizes the lack of a communicative link.

unable to be reached

A more explicit and literal way of saying someone cannot be contacted.

incommunicado

A more formal term suggesting a deliberate or enforced state of being unable to communicate.

lost to contact

This phrase suggests an irreversible or prolonged state of being unreachable.

not in touch

This suggests a lack of communication but can also imply a broader disconnect, not just a temporary one.

disconnected

Implies a break in communication, often due to technical or physical barriers.

unavailable

Suggests someone is not accessible, whether by choice or circumstance.

unresponsive

Similar to 'not responding', indicating no reply to communication attempts.

not responding

Implies an attempt to contact someone has been made, but no reply received.

FAQs

How can I use "out of contact" in a sentence?

You can use "out of contact" to describe a state where someone or something is not reachable or communicative. For instance, "The hikers were "out of contact" due to the lack of cell service in the mountains."

What's a good alternative to saying "out of contact"?

Alternatives include "unreachable", "incommunicado", or "disconnected", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "out of contact" or "out of touch"?

"Out of contact" generally refers to a lack of communication, whereas "out of touch" implies a lack of awareness or understanding. Use "out of contact" when referring to communication and "out of touch" when referring to familiarity or understanding.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "out of contact"?

Use "out of contact" when there's been a disruption or complete absence of communication. For example, "After the earthquake, many villages were "out of contact" with the capital city."