In English, certain phrases and expressions are often used in a specific way, even if it may seem redundant or unnecessary. One such example is the expression ‘got in contact with.’ Many learners of English wonder why the word ‘in’ is necessary when ‘contact’ is already a verb. Let’s explore why ‘in contact with’ is the correct form and why alternatives like ‘got contact with’ are incorrect.
1. The structure of ‘get in contact with’
In English, the phrase ‘get in contact with’ is an idiomatic expression that refers to establishing communication or making contact with someone. The preposition ‘in’ is used here to indicate the act of entering into a state of contact. This usage follows the pattern of other common expressions such as ‘get in touch with’ or ‘get in line with,’ where ‘in’ implies entering or being in a specific state.
For example, when you say ‘The priest got in contact with your family,’ you’re conveying that the priest made an effort to establish communication with your family, and they succeeded in doing so.
2. Why ‘got contact with’ is incorrect
The phrase ‘got contact with’ sounds unnatural because ‘contact’ is a noun, and it requires a preposition (such as ‘in’ or ‘with’) to link it to the rest of the sentence. English syntax tends to use prepositions to connect nouns and verbs in a meaningful way. Without the preposition ‘in,’ the sentence becomes grammatically incomplete or awkward.
In contrast, phrases like ‘got in contact with’ and ‘got in touch with’ are standard and grammatically correct because they use prepositions to form a complete expression. Without the preposition, the phrase does not convey the intended meaning effectively.
3. The role of ‘in’ in idiomatic expressions
The preposition ‘in’ is often used in many idiomatic phrases in English to indicate the involvement or presence of something in a certain condition or state. For example, we also say ‘get in trouble’ or ‘get in line,’ where ‘in’ indicates that the subject is placed within a certain context. Similarly, ‘get in contact with’ uses ‘in’ to show that the person has entered a state of communication.
Other expressions, such as ‘stay in touch’ or ‘keep in contact,’ also use ‘in’ to indicate an ongoing state of communication or connection.
4. Summary
In conclusion, the phrase ‘get in contact with’ is a standard English expression where ‘in’ is required to convey the intended meaning of establishing or entering a state of communication. The phrase ‘got contact with’ is incorrect because it lacks the necessary preposition to link the noun ‘contact’ to the verb ‘got.’ Understanding these nuances in English idiomatic expressions can help improve communication and ensure the correct usage of phrases like ‘get in contact with.’
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