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Meaning & use

getting in touch

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌɡetɪŋ ɪn ˈtʌtʃ/
US/ˌɡet̬ɪŋ ɪn ˈtʌtʃ/

“getting in touch” is a form of “get in touch”.

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    Contacting someone, especially by phone, email or message, usually after not speaking for a while.

    Grammar: This -ing form works as a noun phrase: Getting in touch is easy. The base form is get in touch.

    Patterns

    • getting in touch with someone
    • thanks for getting in touch
    • after getting in touch

    Thanks for getting in touch — I was just about to call you.

    Getting in touch with old friends can be harder than it sounds.

    She mentioned getting in touch with the bank about the missing payment.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    Reaching someone successfully so that you can speak or exchange messages.

    Grammar: Often used after verbs like have trouble or succeed in: I had trouble getting in touch.

    Patterns

    • have trouble getting in touch with someone
    • succeed in getting in touch

    I had trouble getting in touch because his number had changed.

    We finally succeeded in getting in touch after several emails.

Common combinations

getting in touch with someone
He is getting in touch with the hotel to confirm the booking.
thanks for getting in touch
Thanks for getting in touch about the job.
after getting in touch
After getting in touch with her family, she felt much calmer.
getting in touch soon
They promised to be getting in touch soon with more details.
ways of getting in touch
Email is one of the quickest ways of getting in touch.

Synonyms and how they differ

contacting
Contacting is more neutral and formal; getting in touch sounds warmer and more personal.
reaching
Reaching someone suggests finally managing to speak to them, while getting in touch can simply mean sending a message.

Opposites

losing touch

Word family

get in touch phrase
The base form, used for the present or future: I'll get in touch tomorrow.
got in touch phrase
The past form: She got in touch last week.
keep in touch phrase
To stay in regular contact rather than contacting someone once.

Commonly confused: getting in touch or get in touch? getting in touch or in contact?

getting in touch vs get in touch

This is the base form used after will, can or to; getting in touch is the -ing form used as a noun or after prepositions.

getting in touch vs in contact

In contact describes an ongoing state (We are in contact), while getting in touch names the single act of contacting someone.

Practice

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