almost caught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost caught" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something was very close to being caught or apprehended but ultimately was not. Example: "The thief was almost caught by the police as he fled the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Snapchat has almost caught Twitter, too.

The New Yorker

It almost caught the house on fire.

The New York Times - Magazine

He almost caught Delgado on the line.

The Guardian - Sport

"Now they are almost caught up".

The New York Times - Travel

This week he was almost caught out.

The Guardian

Beardsley swerved, accelerated, and almost caught back up.

The New Yorker

In the last 10 meters, Montgomery almost caught up.

The New York Times - Sports

"You know, how they almost caught that train.

The Guardian

These software engineers now outnumber farmers and have almost caught up with lawyers.

The New York Times

Fulham almost caught Boro again from a counter-attack but this time McCormack blazed over.

The Guardian - Sport

Cibulkova was 5-0 up in the second and was almost caught on the line.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost caught" in your writing, ensure the context clearly establishes who or what was at risk of being caught and the potential consequences, enhancing the reader's understanding of the situation's gravity.

Common error

Avoid using "almost caught" when the subject was indeed captured. The phrase implies a near miss, not an actual completion of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost caught" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, indicating an action that was close to completion but ultimately did not occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Sport

25%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science & Research

2%

Reference

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost caught" is a grammatically sound and widely used verbal phrase that effectively communicates a near miss or close encounter. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. Its prevalence in news and sports contexts underscores its utility in describing situations of suspense or competition. When writing, be mindful of the phrase's implication of incomplete action and choose it deliberately to enhance the narrative's impact. Consider alternatives like "nearly captured" or "narrowly escaped" to fine-tune the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly captured

Emphasizes the act of capturing, suggesting a close attempt that fell short.

narrowly escaped

Focuses on the escape aspect, indicating a close call in avoiding capture.

barely avoided

Highlights the act of avoidance, suggesting a minimal margin between safety and capture.

virtually apprehended

Similar to "almost caught", stressing the near completion of the apprehension.

came close to being caught

More verbose, but directly conveys the idea of nearness to capture.

had a close call

More general, referring to a dangerous situation that was narrowly avoided.

was on the verge of being caught

Highlights the imminence of being captured, suggesting it was about to happen.

came within inches of capture

Emphasizes the small distance separating the subject from capture.

was nearly discovered

Focuses on the act of being discovered, implying a hidden or secret situation.

skirted capture

Suggests a light or indirect avoidance of capture.

FAQs

How can I use "almost caught" in a sentence?

You can use "almost caught" to describe situations where someone or something narrowly avoids being captured or apprehended. For example, "The spy was "almost caught" by the enemy, but he managed to escape."

What are some alternatives to "almost caught"?

Some alternatives include "nearly captured", "narrowly escaped", or "barely avoided". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost catch" instead of "almost caught"?

No, "almost catch" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. "Caught" is the past participle of "catch" and is needed to indicate that the action of catching was nearly completed. "Almost catch" would only be correct in specific constructions, such as describing a habitual action: "He would almost catch the bus every morning, but then miss it."

What's the difference between "almost caught" and "nearly caught"?

"Almost caught" and "nearly caught" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference. However, "almost" can sometimes imply a slightly greater degree of unexpectedness or surprise than "nearly."