SpeakUp

Grammar fix

direct contact

face-to-face interaction

meeting or communicating with someone in person, rather than by phone, email, or other indirect ways.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Many people prefer direct contact when discussing important matters.communication
  • In my opinion, direct contact is essential for building trust in a team, because you can read body language and respond immediately.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: in direct contact (with someone); have direct contact (with someone)

WrongI had a direct contact with the manager.

RightI had direct contact with the manager.

Usually uncountable here — no 'a'.

Patternin direct contact (with someone); have direct contact (with someone)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Avoid corporeal proximity with infected individuals.

Natural Avoid direct contact with anyone who's ill.

'Corporeal proximity' is bizarre; 'direct contact' is the standard phrase.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • direct contact
    withhaveavoidphysical

Don't confuse it

'Direct contact' is different from 'indirect contact', which means communicating through messages, calls, or other people.

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