start contacting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start contacting" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in the imperative mood when you want to give instructions or strong advice to someone. For example: "You need to start contacting potential investors as soon as possible in order to secure funding for your project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

You then need to start contacting potential swappers.

The Guardian - Money

Don't start contacting people and asking for help until you know what your career goals are.

The Guardian

Dollar will start contacting customers immediately and plans to complete the redress exercise by early 2016.

The Guardian - Money

A friend of mine suggested I start contacting area V.P.'s".

The New York Times

Then, in frustration, he allowed a friend to start contacting the Christie's, Sotheby's and Leland's auction houses.

The New York Times - Sports

Offshoot groups are conducting focus groups, to help the eventual nominee tailor a message and to start contacting voters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

If you're not sure where to start, contact us.

Duke University

Before you start, contact your state/local wildlife agency.

WikiHow

"After that," he recalled, "people in Hollywood started contacting me".

The New York Times

"We started contacting people and encouraging them to rebook".

The New York Times

The bank has already started contacting potential participants.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "start contacting", be specific about who they should contact and the purpose of the communication. This provides clear direction and enhances the effectiveness of their outreach.

Common error

Avoid simply telling someone to "start contacting" without specifying the target audience or the goal of the communication. This can lead to unfocused efforts and wasted time. Provide a clear strategy and list of contacts to maximize efficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start contacting" primarily functions as a directive, urging or instructing someone to begin the act of communication. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from job searching to initiating business deals, reflecting its active and actionable nature. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

11%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start contacting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves as a direct instruction to initiate communication. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct and appears most often in News & Media and Academia contexts. While versatile, it is most effective when used with specific targets and goals in mind. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "begin reaching out to" or "initiate contact with" for slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin reaching out to

This alternative emphasizes the act of extending communication efforts.

initiate contact with

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the commencement of communication.

commence communication with

This phrase is highly formal and suitable for professional settings.

get in touch with

A more casual way to express starting communication.

make first contact with

Emphasizes being the first to establish communication.

establish communication with

Focuses on setting up a channel of communication.

open lines of communication with

Highlights creating an avenue for ongoing communication.

begin negotiations with

Specifically refers to initiating talks, often in a business context.

launch outreach efforts toward

Implies a broader campaign to connect with a group.

write to

A simpler, more direct alternative focused on written communication.

FAQs

How can I use "start contacting" in a sentence?

You can use "start contacting" to advise someone to initiate communication, such as "You should "start contacting" potential clients this week".

What are some alternatives to "start contacting"?

Alternatives include "begin reaching out to", "initiate contact with", or "get in touch with", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is it better to say "start contacting" or "begin contacting"?

Both "start contacting" and "begin contacting" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference, although "start contacting" is slightly more common in everyday language.

When is it appropriate to use "start contacting" in professional communication?

It's appropriate to use "start contacting" in professional communication when instructing or advising someone to initiate contact with clients, colleagues, or other stakeholders. Ensure the tone is professional and the instructions are clear.