after catching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after catching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action that occurs following the act of catching something, whether it be a physical object or an abstract concept. Example: "After catching the ball, he threw it back to his teammate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After catching half a dozen piranhas, we glided to shore.

The New Yorker

After catching four straight games, she received a phone call.

The New York Times - Sports

He put down a thrilling run, recovering after catching an edge and nearly crashing.

The New York Times - Sports

Casanova, for example, almost drowned himself in the Thames after catching his mistress under her hairdresser.

The Economist

After catching your breath, survey the heart-stirring vistas from what was once Portugal's tallest structure.

Independent

Ms. Angell said she flushes them down the toilet after catching them in a napkin.

The New York Times

But he restored his reputation after catching a baby dropped from a burning building.

The New York Times

(The atheist Richard Dawkins winces after catching himself saying, "God knows").

The New York Times

Thiago Motta goes down for a while after catching flying studs in the shoulder it seems.

The New York Times

After catching a few hours of sleep, the #Packers game is still just as painful.

The New York Times

Thomas fumbled after catching a deep pass from Manning on the game's first drive.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after catching", ensure the subsequent action logically follows the act of catching. This maintains clarity and avoids confusing the reader.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "after catching" close to the subject performing the action. Incorrect placement can unintentionally imply a different subject is doing the catching.

Linguistic Context

After catching" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the timing or sequence of an action, specifying that something occurs subsequent to the act of catching. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after catching" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier to indicate temporal sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, sports reporting, and general narratives. While primarily neutral in register, it suits both formal and informal communication. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure logical sequencing and proximity to the subject to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "upon catching" or "following catching" may be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon catching

More formal alternative, suggesting an immediate sequence of events.

immediately after catching

Adds emphasis on the temporal proximity of the two actions.

following catching

Similar to "after catching" but can sound slightly more academic.

having caught

A participial phrase that condenses the action and subsequent event.

subsequent to catching

Highly formal and less common, emphasizing the chronological order.

right after the catch

More colloquial, emphasizing the immediacy after the catch.

once having caught

Emphasizes the completion of the catching action before the next action occurs; rather formal.

on securing the catch

Emphasizes the act of making the catch as a condition for the next action.

with the catch secured

Focuses on the successful completion of the catch, before describing the subsequent action.

post-catch

A concise, modern term often used in sports contexts.

FAQs

How to use "after catching" in a sentence?

Use "after catching" to indicate an action that occurs immediately or soon after the act of catching something. For example, "After catching the bouquet, she smiled at the camera."

What can I say instead of "after catching"?

You can use alternatives like "upon catching", "immediately after catching", or "following catching" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "after catching" or "after being caught"?

"After catching" implies the subject is the one doing the catching, while "after being caught" implies the subject was caught by someone else. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "after catching" and "having caught"?

"After catching" suggests a sequence of events, while "having caught" ("having caught") is a perfect participle phrase that emphasizes the completion of the catching action before the subsequent action.