we were in contact with them vs we had contact with tehm

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'We were in contact with them' is more commonly used to indicate ongoing communication or interaction, while 'We had contact with them' is used to describe a past event or situation where contact was made.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1234 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate ongoing communication or interaction with someone.

"we were in contact with them"

This phrase is used to describe a situation where there was continuous communication or interaction with another party. It implies that the contact was established and maintained over a period of time.

Examples:

During the project, we were in contact with the client to provide updates.
I was in contact with my friend throughout the trip.

Show examples from the web [+]

We were in radio contact with some of them.
We were in contact with the enemy, sir.
We were in contact with it for five of those days.
We know you were in contact with the murdered girl.
And both the victims were in contact with each other.
Or worse - they were in contact with Omicron.
However, it also affected consumers who were in contact with those products.
Now, contrary to what you told us, you were in contact with Jack Weaver.
Patrice's phone records show that he and Brennan were in contact with each other beginning a week ago.
You were in contact with Jeff, and you were fighting.
However, it then also affected consumers who were in contact with the products.
David deleted the content on the messages, but I know, Evelyn, I know you were in contact with him, so please don't lie to me again.
All of these Presidencies were in contact with Members of the European Parliament to present the Council's position and to prepare the ground for the second reading.
You didn't want our phone records showing that we were in contact the night that Gemma went missing, am I right?
Were you aware that all four victims were in contact with Carl Landers from this site?
As an immediate response to the recent outbreaks of violence in and around Jos during January and March 2010, Commission services in charge of development aid and humanitarian aid were in contact with the International Red Cross of Nigeria and other local agencies.
Cabe said that there were several calls to Lucky's management, so they were in contact.
It is possible therefore that the herds were in contact while grazing and watering.
I'm in contact with those in contact with him.
From now on all materials and articles intended to be in contact with food must be labelled "suitable for food contact" or carry a special food contact symbol.

Alternatives:

We maintained contact with them.
We stayed in touch with them.
We kept in contact with them.
We communicated with them.
We were in touch with them.

This phrase is correct and is used to describe a past event or situation where contact was made with someone.

"we had contact with tehm"

This phrase is used to indicate that contact was established at a specific point in the past. It does not imply ongoing communication or interaction.

Examples:

Last week, we had contact with the supplier to discuss the new shipment.
They had contact with the authorities after the incident.

Show examples from the web [+]

It'd be much easier if we had contact with the outside world.
It's been years since we had contact.
We know you had contact with him through e-mail.
It could be that Claire had contact with this artiste around the time of her death.
You must've had contact with someone they suspect.
So it looks like Logan definitely had contact with this guy.
Anyone who had contact with Felicia Aldreen has been taken in for questioning.
We haven't had contact with them since.
Round up everyone who had contact with Murphy.
Agent Glassman, we know that you had contact with our victim.
We rounded up everyone he had contact with.
And have you had contact with any of the...
Before returning to Norway, he only had contact with reclusive author Maurice Blanchot.
We must warn every member who had contact with him.
Only he had contact with Heywood.
They're killing everyone who had contact with that recording.
If he had contact with any other financial institution, I can't find it.
She's an intel analyst who had contact with Arnett.
They had contact with Franklin a half an hour ago.
I... only had contact with robert in town.

Alternatives:

We made contact with them.
We got in touch with them.
We reached out to them.
We contacted them.
We connected with them.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

we were in contact with them vs we had contact with tehm

"we were in contact with them"

"we had contact with tehm"

Related Comparisons