touch

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "touch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to physical contact, as in "She touched his arm in reassurance," or to refer to an idea, as in "The speech touched on many important topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Tech

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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The Guardian

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The Guardian

It was touch and go.

The Economist

There is no evidence of the preliminary tentative mark, of the initial hesitant touch of the pencil or crayon that would allow the artist to get his bearings and select the position for the first expressive line.

The Guardian - Arts

Cameron was deemed the most "out of touch" out of all three of the main party leaders.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was seen by critics in the province as out of touch; dangerously so because his views were respected in London.

The Guardian

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The Guardian

It was a lovely touch but it was not really Totti who should be apologising.

The Guardian - Sport

"I suppose now when I get opportunities, like Floody going with England, I've got to step up take every opportunity to show the coaches what I can do"."They," the friends and former Scarlet and Osprey team-mates with whom Williams still keep in touch "are just waiting to see what happens.

The Guardian - Sport

Catherine Cook, the hospital's infection control nurse, said the gel should be applied "before you touch a patient and after you touch a patient to disinfect your hands".

The Guardian

I truly believe they are out of touch with their own voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the type of touch, such as "gentle touch", "light touch", or "firm touch".

Common error

Avoid using "touch" when a more specific term would provide greater clarity. Instead of saying "The speech touched on several issues", try "The speech addressed several issues" for a more direct and informative statement.

Linguistic Context

The word "touch" functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the act of physical contact or a quality/characteristic. As a verb, it describes the action of making physical contact or affecting something emotionally as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Books

15%

Less common in

Tech

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touch" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, indicating physical contact, emotional impact, or a subtle influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its neutral register and prevalence across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Sports, and Books, underscore its broad applicability. To ensure clarity, consider the specific context when using "touch", and avoid it when a more precise term would enhance understanding. Related phrases include "physical contact", "sense of touch", and "get in contact", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

physical contact

Focuses specifically on the physical aspect of touching, rather than emotional or abstract meanings.

sense of touch

Emphasizes the sensory experience of touching something.

get in contact

Implies establishing communication with someone.

keep in contact

Suggests maintaining an ongoing communication.

a hint of

Refers to a slight indication or trace of something.

a trace of

Similar to "a hint of", but can also describe a minimal physical amount

an element of

Indicates the presence of a component within something larger.

a tinge of

Suggests a slight influence or modification.

stay connected

Implies maintaining a relationship or communication.

have an effect on

Refers to the impact or influence something has on something else

FAQs

How can I use "touch" in a sentence?

You can use "touch" to describe physical contact, as in "She "touched his arm"", or to describe an emotional effect, like "The story "touched my heart"".

What are some alternatives to "touch"?

Depending on the context, you could use "contact", "affect", "influence", or "feel".

What does it mean to "lose touch"?

To "lose touch" means to "lose contact" or communication with someone, or to become "out of date" or unaware of current trends.

Is it correct to say "stay in touch" or "keep in touch"?

Both "stay in touch" and "keep in touch" are correct and commonly used. They mean to maintain communication with someone.