untouched

USAGE SUMMARY

'untouched' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has not been changed or altered in any way. Example: She left the room exactly as she had found it, untouched.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Environment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unsurprisingly, the Badr Brigades were left untouched by Maliki's offensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

JP Morgan is likely to pay $13bn, and it will continue to sail on with its reputation and, eventually its profits, totally untouched.

The Guardian - Opinion

Privately, operatives from both parties believe a "clean" DHS funding bill passed by the Senate – which leaves Obama's immigration provisions untouched and keeps the DHS funded until September – would pass if put to a vote in the House.

The Guardian

To avoid catastrophic climate change by keeping the global temperature rise below 2C, the fossil fuel industry needs to leave 82% of today's coal reserves in the ground and Canada's tar sands must go almost untouched.

The Guardian

Its pro-retiree slant might be electorally sensible, and perhaps even a simplifying improvement, but it has left the bigger fiscal and macroeconomic issues completely untouched.

The Guardian - Opinion

By engaging collaborative "teams" of consumers in creative problem-solving processes, you allow participants to "think with their hands" and unlock insight often left untouched by traditional methodologies.

The Guardian

Next departure 6 November Much of Colombia has been untouched by tourism thanks to its turbulent history, but it is now safe to visit.

The Guardian - Travel

As such, it left largely untouched an unjust and inequitable economic and social system.

The Guardian - Opinion

Doubles from around £20 Oliver May Ritoque Raices, Valparaíso Playa de Ritoque is 10km of relatively untouched coastline, hidden by vast rolling dunes.

The Guardian - Travel

While many privacy groups and tech companies back the bill, several other civil libertarian groups consider it an insufficient step, favoring a full elimination of Section 215 and noting that the bill would leave the vast majority of the NSA's bulk collection powers untouched.

The Guardian

Like all of Guyana, this area is untouched by large-scale tourism, and so there are no stalls selling postcards, no internet cafes, no protective fences against the cliff's edge.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "untouched" to emphasize the complete lack of alteration or influence on something, highlighting its original state or purity. For instance, "the untouched wilderness" evokes a sense of pristine natural beauty.

Common error

Avoid using "untouched" loosely in metaphorical contexts where 'unaffected' or 'uninfluenced' would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying 'his heart remained untouched by the tragedy' consider 'he remained unaffected by the tragedy' for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "untouched" primarily functions to describe a noun, indicating that it remains in its original state, undamaged, or unaffected. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status. It is typically used to highlight a lack of physical or emotional impact, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "untouched" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that remains in its original, pristine state, undamaged, or unaffected. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in various contexts, including News & Media, Travel, and Science, with a neutral formality level. When writing, use "untouched" to emphasize the complete lack of alteration or influence on something, highlighting its original state or purity. Consider alternatives like "pristine" or "unspoiled" for similar meanings. Avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaffected

Emphasizes the lack of influence or impact on something.

pristine

Highlights the pure and unspoiled condition of something.

undisturbed

Focuses on the absence of any disturbance or alteration.

unspoiled

Stresses the preservation of something's natural beauty or condition.

intact

Indicates that something remains whole and undamaged.

unblemished

Highlights the lack of any flaws or imperfections.

virgin

Implies a state of being untouched or unused, often in a natural context.

as is

Indicates that something is being presented in its current, unaltered condition.

in original condition

A more formal way of stating that something has not been modified.

preserved

Highlights the act of maintaining something in its original state.

FAQs

How can I use "untouched" in a sentence?

You can use "untouched" to describe something that remains in its original state, like "The remote island's beaches are virtually untouched."

What's the difference between "untouched" and "unaffected"?

"Untouched" typically refers to a physical state of being unaltered or not having been in contact, while "unaffected" describes not being influenced emotionally or otherwise.

What can I say instead of "untouched"?

You can use alternatives like "pristine", "unspoiled", or "intact" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "untouched by human hands"?

Yes, "untouched by human hands" is a common expression used to emphasize that something has not been directly handled or altered by people, often implying purity or quality.