contact
C1 (Very High Frequency)Neutral to formal. Common across all registers, but specific uses (e.g., 'contact details', 'contact lens') are everyday, while 'to make contact with' can be more formal.
Definition
Meaning
The state of touching or being in direct physical connection; communication or interaction.
A person one knows who may provide assistance or information, especially in professional contexts; a means of communication; a connection between electrical conductors.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can function as a noun, verb, and adjective (attributive only, e.g., 'contact details'). As a verb, its use in 'I'll contact you' is standard but was once considered informal by some style guides. The verb can take a direct object (contact someone) and can be used in passive constructions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'contact' as noun/verb/adjective identically. The phrase 'contact sport' is more common in US sports reporting. Historically, verb use was more accepted in AmE first.
Connotations
Identical. 'Contact' implies efficiency and directness in both. No significant cultural connotations differ.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties. The verb form might be very slightly more frequent in AmE business contexts, but the difference is negligible.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] (contact sb)[V] (intransitive: 'We made contact.')[be V-ed] (passive: 'He was contacted by email.')[N + with] ('contact with the enemy')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make first contact”
- “Have no contact with”
- “In contact with”
- “Lose contact with”
- “A contact high (slang)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Primary means of referring to communication (e.g., 'Please contact our support team.') and professional networks ('I have a contact at the firm.').
Academic
Used in sciences for physical interaction (e.g., 'The virus spreads through direct contact.') and in social sciences for social interaction.
Everyday
Ubiquitous for sharing phone/email details and arranging meetings ('What's your contact info?').
Technical
In engineering/physics: 'electrical contact', 'contact patch'; in medicine: 'contact tracing', 'contact dermatitis'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I'll contact you by mobile tomorrow.
- The office was contacted regarding the leak.
- Try contacting the supplier directly.
American English
- I'll contact you on my cell tomorrow.
- The office was contacted about the leak.
- Try reaching out to the supplier directly.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use. 'Contact' is not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use. 'Contact' is not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- Please provide your contact details.
- She is the contact person for enquiries.
- Wear contact lenses.
American English
- Please provide your contact information.
- She is the contact person for inquiries.
- Wear contact lenses.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have two contact numbers.
- The teacher has eye contact with the students.
- Please contact me.
- We lost contact after she moved abroad.
- Avoid contact with the chemical.
- He is my main contact in Berlin.
- The study examines social contact between different age groups.
- Initial contact was made via a professional networking site.
- The electrical contact was corroded, causing the failure.
- The ambassador served as a point of contact during the delicate negotiations.
- The novel explores the protagonist's desperate need for human contact.
- Researchers contacted a wide cohort for the longitudinal study.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CONnect' and 'interACT' – CONTACT is the act of connecting.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS PHYSICAL CONNECTION / NETWORKS ARE TANGIBLE WEBS (e.g., 'web of contacts', 'bridge the contact gap').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do NOT use 'контакт' for a romantic partner; in English it's professional/neutral. Avoid directly translating 'быть в контакте' as 'be in contact' for prolonged states; prefer 'stay in touch'. The verb 'контактировать' is less common in English; 'contact' (v) or 'communicate' is better.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'contact to' someone (correct: 'contact' + direct object). Overusing the verb in very formal writing where 'write to' or 'telephone' may be more precise. Confusing 'contact' (general connection) with 'contract' (legal agreement).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'contact' used as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb, NO. Use the direct object: 'contact someone'. As a noun, YES: 'I have contact with someone' or 'I'm in contact with someone'.
They are synonyms, but 'contact' is more direct and neutral. 'Get in touch with' can sound slightly more informal and personal.
Yes, especially in technical contexts: 'The two wires are in contact,' or 'The ship made contact with the seabed.'
No, it is perfectly standard and acceptable in all modern business communication. It is preferred for its brevity and clarity.