touch the screen

USAGE SUMMARY

"touch the screen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a physical action of touching a screen, such as a computer monitor or a smart phone. For example: "If you want to check your emails, just touch the screen to open your inbox."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To answer the phone, I had to touch the screen.

The New York Times - Magazine

She can touch the screen to buy them, and the products emerge from underneath the screen.

The New York Times

The guard then can touch the screen to print out the visitor's badge.

The New York Times

Those who care also to touch the screen can make Fry giggle or issue a Melchett "baah".

Independent

It takes the elements of each movie and makes them a bit interactive, so you have to touch the screen for the next event to happen.

The New York Times - Tech

You still control the Mac with a mouse pointer and a keyboard, and you don't touch the screen as you would on an iPad.

The New York Times

A man with arthritis who could not hold a pen was able to touch the screen with his finger and mark his ballot.

The New York Times

The handset responds to the phrase 'OK Google now' which wakes the phone without the user having to touch the screen.

Independent

The second new model, the Kindle Touch, is almost identical — but instead of navigating by clicking a four-way controller, you can just touch the screen.

The New York Times - Tech

According to the complaints, when voters tried to touch the screen for Jennings, the iVotronic wouldn't accept it, or would highlight Buchanan's name instead.

The New York Times - Magazine

This allows a user to touch the screen at more than one point to zoom in on a portion of a photo, for example.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, use "touch the screen" to clearly indicate a direct physical interaction with a touchscreen device.

Common error

Do not use "touch the screen" when you mean a more complex interaction like swiping or dragging. Use specific terms like "swipe the screen" or "drag the icon" to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch the screen" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a physical action performed by a user on a touchscreen device. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touch the screen" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a physical interaction with a touchscreen device. As demonstrated by the examples provided, it is frequently found in news articles, how-to guides, and scientific publications. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely understood and serves the purpose of instructing or describing the action of physically interacting with a touchscreen. While generally neutral in tone, its use can be tailored by substituting synonyms like "tap the screen" or "press the screen" for more specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tap the screen

Replaces "touch" with a more specific verb indicating a brief contact.

press the screen

Implies applying some pressure while touching the screen.

use the touchscreen

Focuses on using the screen's touch capabilities.

interact with the screen

Describes a broader interaction, not just physical contact.

select on the screen

Highlights the action of choosing an item or option.

engage with the display

Similar to "interact", but emphasizes the visual aspect.

manipulate the screen

Suggests a more complex interaction involving gestures.

control the screen

Implies using touch to manage the screen's functions.

activate the screen

Focuses on initiating an action or function.

operate the screen

Describes the general action of using the screen.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "touch the screen"?

You can use alternatives such as "tap the screen", "press the screen", or "interact with the screen" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "touch in the screen"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "touch the screen" is "on". You would say "touch on the screen" if you need to specify a location, but "touch the screen" is generally preferred.

What does "touch the screen" mean in the context of a mobile app?

In the context of a mobile app, "touch the screen" typically means to physically tap the screen with your finger to initiate an action, such as selecting an icon or activating a function.

Which is more accurate, "touch the screen" or "tap the screen"?

"Tap the screen" implies a brief and light contact, while "touch the screen" is more general and can include tapping, pressing, or holding. The better choice depends on the specific action you want to describe.