touched base with

USAGE SUMMARY

"touched base with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to have made contact with someone to exchange information or catch up. Example sentence: I touched base with my manager last week to check in on our upcoming project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I touched base with Naylor to find out how his secession plans were faring.

The New York Times

I touched base with him regularly for an update on that and subsequent delays.

The New York Times

"We touched base with almost every meter manufacturer," Mr. Turoff testified.

The New York Times

Many of the people I touched base with this week could not have been on Facebook until that point.

University of California, Berkeley

Exchange officials soon touched base with the S.E.C. in Washington, where an internal e-mail system alerted regulators to the problem.

The New York Times

Between meeting with my philosophy class and helping with the school evacuation, I touched base with Spectator staff members, urging them to stay safe and to take notes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Nice to touch base with Badger and Skinny Pete.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I'd love to touch base with [Watson and Crawford].

The Guardian - Sport

I wanted to touch base with haunts old and new.

The New York Times - Travel

Nestlé defines big, traditional company, but it's touching base with its inner startup.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Use of additional lists need to be documented; touch base with the Chief Cataloging Librarian.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touched base with" to indicate a brief, informal communication, often to check in or share updates. This phrase is suitable for workplace communications, project management, and coordinating with colleagues.

Common error

Avoid using "touched base with" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "contacted" or "communicated with" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touched base with" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a brief communication or contact with someone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically correct and suitable for general use. The examples show its application in various contexts, from news reporting to personal updates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touched base with" is a phrasal verb used to describe making brief contact with someone, often for a quick update or exchange of information. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and acceptable in a variety of contexts. While very common in News & Media and quite present in academia, its register leans toward neutral to informal, suggesting it's best used in casual professional settings or news reporting. For more formal communication, consider using alternatives like "contacted" or "communicated with". Remember to reserve "touched base with" for situations where a quick check-in is all that's needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contacted

Direct and simple way of saying someone got in touch.

got in touch with

More formal way of saying someone contacted.

reached out to

Implies an effort to initiate communication.

communicated with

Formal and emphasizes the exchange of information.

spoke with

Emphasizes a verbal conversation.

liaised with

Suggests a formal or professional connection.

connected with

Implies establishing a relationship or connection.

checked in with

Suggests a brief, informal contact for updates.

consulted with

Suggests seeking advice or guidance.

conferred with

Implies a formal discussion or meeting.

FAQs

What does "touched base with" mean?

"Touched base with" means to make brief contact with someone, typically to exchange information or check in on something.

How can I use "touched base with" in a sentence?

You can say, "I "touched base with" the team lead to get an update on the project's progress".

What can I say instead of "touched base with"?

You can use alternatives like "contacted", "reached out to", or "checked in with" depending on the context.

Is "touched base with" appropriate for formal writing?

While ""touched base with"" is common, it's generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "contacted" or "communicated with".