to contact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to contact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of reaching out or communicating with someone, typically for a specific purpose. Example: "Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Want to contact him?

The New York Times

No way to contact him.

The New Yorker

There were donors to contact.

The New York Times - Sports

"Movement to contact," someone says.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm trying to contact you".

The New York Times

To contact us, click here.

The Guardian

"You'll have to contact your bank.

The New Yorker

"We have no way to contact her".

The New York Times

(Efforts to contact the Coxes were unsuccessful).

The New York Times

Several efforts to contact him were unsuccessful.

The New York Times

"Child services tried to contact Bob.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to contact" when you want to express the act of initiating communication with someone or something, whether it's via phone, email, or in person.

Common error

While "to contact" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in very formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "to communicate with" or "to liaise with" might be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to contact" functions as an infinitive verb, typically used to express the purpose or intention of initiating communication with someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in contexts such as providing contact information or stating an intention to communicate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to contact" is a versatile and widely used expression for initiating communication. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts. While primarily found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for general use. When aiming for more formal or academic tones, consider alternatives like "to communicate with" or "to liaise with". Remember to use "to contact" when the intention is to provide a means for establishing communication, whether via phone, email, or in person.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to get in touch with

Emphasizes establishing communication, often used in a slightly less formal context than the original phrase.

to reach out to

Focuses on the act of extending communication towards someone, implying a proactive approach.

to communicate with

A more general term for establishing any form of communication, suitable for various contexts.

to make contact with

Highlights the act of successfully establishing a connection or communication.

to be in communication with

Describes an ongoing state of exchanging information, rather than the initial act.

to establish communication with

Emphasizes the initiation and setting up of a communication channel.

to get ahold of

Informal way of saying to manage to speak to or meet someone.

to correspond with

Implies communication through writing, either physical or digital.

to liaise with

Suggests formal communication, often between organizations or departments.

to notify

Implies formally informing someone about something specific.

FAQs

How do I properly use "to contact" in a sentence?

The phrase "to contact" is used as an infinitive verb to indicate the act of establishing communication. For example, "Please feel free "to contact" us with any questions".

What are some alternatives to "to contact" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to get in touch with", "to reach out to", or "to communicate with".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "to contact"?

While generally correct, overuse in very formal settings might sound less professional. Consider using alternatives in academic or high-level business writing.

What's the difference between "to contact" and "to reach out to"?

"To contact" is a general term for establishing communication. "To reach out to" implies a more proactive or personal effort to connect with someone, suggesting that you are making an effort to help or connect with the other person in a more meaningful way.