touching base

USAGE SUMMARY

"touching base" is a phrase commonly used in written English.
It is usually used when one wants to check in with another person and make sure they are up to date on something. For example, "I just wanted to touch base with you about the project timeline before the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Are you emails filled with drilling down, touching base, and moving needles?

Harvard Business Review

Guy, Just touching base before we submit our 2018 scent pitches to Corporate tomorrow.

The New Yorker

Mitt Romney, a candidate touching base: "The way forward is not to look left.

The New York Times

Going forward, there was simply no prospect as exciting as touching base with Jared.

The New Yorker

"By touching base," she said, "I never leave any added benefit on the table that my clients could be receiving".

The New York Times - Travel

But Richt will begin working the phones at night, hiring a staff and touching base with potential recruits.

The New York Times - Sports

Qualifications: Students will need to be able to work independently while touching base once a week with myself and the other URAP students involved.

University of California, Berkeley

But the pair never parted ways, touching base regularly even though they lived 3,000 miles apart for most of their lives.

The New York Times - Arts

(Curlicue hand-drawn cartoons blossom frequently throughout, touching base with the source material's distinctive visual style while adding an aptly hallucinogenic vibe when required).

The Guardian - Film

Then he stays there, touching base with the people he has seen all day long, floating in a kind of multitasking heaven of communication.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "touching base", be clear about the purpose of your communication to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what you want to discuss or what updates you're seeking.

Common error

Avoid starting every email with "just touching base". It can sound repetitive and insincere. Instead, vary your opening lines and clearly state the reason for your email.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touching base" functions as an idiomatic expression, acting as a verb phrase. It describes the action of making contact with someone, often briefly, to maintain communication or share updates. Ludwig shows its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

7%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Touching base" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of making contact with someone, typically for a brief update or to maintain a connection. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and prevalent usage across various domains, including News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. While versatile, it is important to use the phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse in communications and tailoring language to fit the specific context. Alternatives like ""checking in with"" or "connecting with" can provide variety and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

checking in with

Offers a more literal and common synonym.

getting in touch with

More descriptive, emphasizing the act of initiating contact.

connecting with

Replaces the idiom with a more direct verb choice.

reaching out to

Implies extending effort to make contact.

following up with

Highlights the act of continuing a previous conversation.

making contact with

Formal alternative, suitable for professional settings.

communicating with

Broad term for establishing any form of communication.

liaising with

Suggests a more formal and official connection.

consulting with

Implies seeking advice or information.

updating

Focuses on providing new information.

FAQs

What does "touching base" mean?

Touching base means making contact with someone, usually briefly, to check in, share updates, or maintain a connection.

How can I use "touching base" in a sentence?

You can use "touching base" like this: "I'm just "checking in with" you to see if you have any questions about the project."

What are some alternatives to "touching base"?

Some alternatives to "touching base" include "connecting with", ""checking in with"", or "following up with".

Is "touching base" formal or informal?

"Touching base" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal, suitable for most business and casual communications. For more formal contexts, consider using "making contact with" or "communicating with".