touch towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touch towards" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It is not commonly used, and its meaning is unclear without additional context. Example: "He made a touch towards the subject, but didn't elaborate further."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Taking a routine pass deep in his own half, Cheick Tioté undercooked his touch towards Kolo Touré and Samaris intercepted.

The Guardian - Sport

Anderson lost his golden touch towards the end of 2004, when he was replaced in the one-day team by Alex Wharf.

The Guardian - Sport

America's measure of broad money rose by only 1.6% in the year to April, and fell slightly in the second half of that period.The bears come out of the woodsThe latest market setback has given heart to those bearish commentators who were looking out of touch towards the end of last year.

The Economist

My other regret is that we lost touch towards the end of his life.

Vice

If I would cast a spell on the people of my country today I would perch on a high cliff at dawn facing East and a touch towards the South.

Vice

The CCE has previously been used as a measure of the tactile mislocalisation of touch towards a rubber hand when a fake hand was either aligned or misaligned with subjects' own hands ([12], see also [15]).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As the video continues, the singer and her lover's hands are shown slowly slipping apart, with only their fingertips touching towards the conclusion of the video.

Wikipedia

Early on in sex one night, being the great teacher that I knew I was going to be, I pushed my husband's arm away from something I didn't want touched and towards something I did.

Huffington Post

Some people already have dark eyebrows, but normally the eyebrows need touching up towards the end.If you absolutely do not need it, then that's fine.

WikiHow

Villa had lost but a stirring late rally had generated a touch of warmth towards them.

The Guardian - Sport

This time, the tight forward Steve Thompson panicked, wellied the ball towards touch and ended up slicing it over his own shoulder.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical movement or direction, consider whether a more precise verb such as "reach", "move", or "point" would enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "touch towards" when a more direct verb like "move" or "extend" would provide greater clarity and precision for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch towards" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb to indicate direction or orientation. As Ludwig suggests, while understandable, its usage isn't always standard, and clearer alternatives may exist.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "touch towards" is an uncommon prepositional phrase generally indicating direction or a slight influence. Ludwig AI identifies it as acceptable but suggests that clearer and more precise alternatives often exist. While found in news, media, and wiki contexts, its use in more formal writing is less frequent. Consider more common synonyms like "move toward", "reach for", or "lean toward" for enhanced clarity in your writing. Always assess the context to select the most appropriate word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move toward

This alternative suggests a general movement in a direction, similar to "touch towards" but without necessarily implying contact.

reach for

This implies an attempt to make contact, focusing on the action of extending to touch something.

gesture toward

This refers to a non-verbal communication, indicating a direction or object with a gesture.

lean toward

This indicates a preference or inclination, metaphorical direction rather than physical.

tend toward

This suggests a natural disposition or inclination in a particular direction.

incline toward

Similar to "lean toward", this indicates a mental or emotional predisposition.

verge on

This suggests approaching a state or condition without fully reaching it.

make a pass at

Suggests initiating an action or an attempt towards something, possibly an initial step.

edge toward

Implies a gradual or cautious movement or shift in a specific direction.

gravitate to

Means being attracted to a person or a thing, a natural tendency or movement.

FAQs

What does "touch towards" mean?

The phrase "touch towards" is not a standard English idiom. It generally suggests a movement or action directed in proximity to something, sometimes implying contact or influence. Depending on context, it might mean 'move toward', 'affect slightly', or 'gesture to'.

What can I say instead of "touch towards"?

Depending on the intended meaning, alternatives to "touch towards" include "move toward", "reach for", "gesture toward", "lean toward", or "incline toward".

How can I use "touch towards" in a sentence?

While not a standard phrase, you could use "touch towards" to describe a slight influence or movement in a direction. For example, "The new policy showed a touch towards leniency" or "He made a touch towards the subject, but didn't elaborate further."

Is "touch towards" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "touch towards" is uncommon and may sound awkward. Consider using more conventional alternatives for better clarity and impact in your writing.