touching base with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touching base with" is a commonly used and correct expression in written English.
It means to make contact or reconnect with someone, typically for a brief conversation or update. It can also refer to checking in or making sure everything is on track with a particular project or plan. Example: I wanted to touch base with my team before our big presentation to make sure everyone is on the same page. Another example: I haven't talked to my best friend in months, so I'm planning on touching base with her this weekend to catch up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times - Sports

(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

For film, it's worth touching base with Queer Screen, the organisation behind the annual Mardi Gras Film Festival (February/March) and the Queer Screen Film Fest (September).

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 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

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

Yale University

Club officials have touched base with representatives for a number of free agents, including pitchers Mike Hampton, Denny Neagle and Kevin Appier.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touching base with" when you want to convey a brief and informal check-in with someone. It's suitable for quickly updating colleagues or friends on ongoing projects or personal matters.

Common error

Avoid using "touching base with" in highly formal or official communications. Opt for more professional alternatives like "contacting" or "liaising with" when addressing superiors or external stakeholders.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touching base with" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the act of making contact or communicating with someone. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples of the phrase used to describe initiating or maintaining contact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "touching base with" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe making contact or reconnecting with someone, generally for a quick update or check-in. While versatile, it is most appropriate in neutral to informal contexts and should be replaced with more formal alternatives in academic or official communications. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its frequent usage across various sources, particularly in news media, with the main goal of sustaining communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

checking in with

Highlights the act of making a brief inquiry about status or well-being.

getting in contact with

Focuses on the act of establishing initial communication.

connecting with

Emphasizes establishing a connection or relationship.

reaching out to

Focuses on the effort of initiating contact.

following up with

Implies a subsequent communication regarding a previous interaction.

making contact with

A more formal way to say getting in touch.

communicating with

A more general term for exchanging information.

getting ahold of

An informal way of saying contacting someone.

liaising with

Suggests a more formal or official connection.

corresponding with

Suggests a written exchange of communication.

FAQs

What does "touching base with" mean?

"Touching base with" means making contact or reconnecting with someone, typically for a brief conversation or update.

How to use "touching base with" in a sentence?

Example: "I'm just "checking in with" to see if you've completed the report".

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

You can use alternatives like "connecting with", "following up with", or "reaching out to" depending on the context.

Is "touching base with" appropriate for formal communication?

While commonly used, "touching base with" is generally considered informal. For formal communication, consider alternatives such as "liaising with" or "communicating with".