collocations.org

Collocations for touch - noun

1. act of touching sb/sth

ADJ.

delicate, gentle, light, slight
The slightest touch will set off the alarm.

PREP.

at sb/sth''s ~
The door swung open at his touch. | You can now do your shopping at the touch of a button.

2. small detail

ADJ.

final, finishing | decorative, festive, homely, romantic
The family photos give the room a homely touch.
humorous | classy, lovely, nice, professional
Giving her flowers was a nice touch.
feminine, human, idiosyncratic, individual, personal | little
The decor includes many idiosyncratic little touches.

VERB + TOUCH

add, give sth, put
She''s just putting the finishing touches to her painting.

3. particular ability

ADJ.

golden, magic | deft, sure
With students she had a sure touch and showed great personal sensitivity.
light
He handles this controversial subject with a light touch.
political
He found his old political touch when the crisis emerged.

VERB + TOUCH

find | lose
Maybe the champion is losing her magic touch.

4. small amount of sth

ADJ.

little, subtle | welcome

VERB + TOUCH

add, bring
Her speech brought a welcome touch of humour to the evening.

PREP.

with a ~ of
‘Thanks,’ she said, with a touch of sarcasm.
~ of

5. contact

ADJ.

close
The security staff were in close touch with the local police.

VERB + TOUCH

get in
I''m trying to get in touch with Jane. Do you have her number?
keep in, stay in
It is important to keep in touch with the latest research. | Let''s keep in touch.
put sb in
I''ll put you in touch with someone in your area.
lose
I''ve lost touch with all my old friends.

PREP.

in ~
Are you still in touch with your friends from college?
out of ~
This government is increasingly out of touch with ordinary voters.
~ with

Collocations for touch - verb

1. put your hand on sb/sth; be in contact with sb/sth

ADV.

(not) actually, not even, not quite
He did not actually touch the substance, but may have inhaled microparticles.
barely, hardly, scarcely
You''ve hardly touched your food (= not eaten it).
almost, nearly, practically
Their faces were almost touching.
just | briefly
His fingers briefly touched hers.
gently, lightly | gingerly | accidentally, inadvertently
He accidentally touched a live wire attached to overhead power cables.
never
He said I kicked him, but I never touched him!

VERB + TOUCH

want to | (not) dare (to)
Don''t you dare touch me!
reach out to
Her hand reached out to touch his cheek.
let sb
He wouldn''t let me touch the wound.

PREP.

on
He touched her gently on the arm.
with
She touched him with her hand.

2. make sb feel a strong emotion

ADV.

deeply
The story touched me very deeply.
PHRASAL VERBS touch on/upon sth

ADV.

briefly | just, merely
Photojournalism and the birth of photography are merely touched on in the book.

VERB + TOUCH

want to
I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.

Report an error or submit a comment/suggestion on touch