Making plans? Here's how to say it in English

Picture wrapping up plans with a good friend and saying "contact me tomorrow." It works . . . technically. But it sounds like something you'd say to a stranger, not someone you know well. English has warmer, more natural options, some that fit any setting, others reserved for close friends only.

Touch base, get in touch, get hold of

"Touch base" is common in professional settings, and yes, it's a baseball phrase. Runners touch each base on their way around, so the phrase stuck as a way to describe checking in briefly. It works for any form of contact: a call, a text, an email, a quick chat in person. Just note that using it with friends or family can come across as oddly formal.

"Get in touch" works in both professional and personal settings without sounding out of place in either. A boss might ask you to "get in touch with the client," while a friend might just say, "I'll get in touch with you on Sunday." "Get hold of" suggests that you have successfully reached someone, rather than just planning to.

A few examples:

• I'll touch base with you after the meeting.
• Can you get in touch with Maria about the budget?
• I finally got hold of him this morning.

Casual phrases for friends

Some expressions are informal enough that they only really work with people you're close to, like "hit me up" or "holla at me." Neither of these fit a professional context. They'd read as too casual, even disrespectful, in that setting.

A couple of examples:

• Hit me up if you're free this weekend.
• I'll holla at you once I land.

When you just want a call

Not every situation calls for a phrase like "touch base" or "hit me up." Sometimes you just want to say the method itself. Call, text, or email, and let that be the whole message.

Here's how these sound:

• Call me when you land.
• I'll text you as soon as I'm there.
• Email me once you've got the numbers.

Next time you're wrapping up plans, skip "contact me." You don't have to retire it completely. Just know that most of the time, there's something better to say.