been caught up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been caught up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has become involved or entangled in something, often unexpectedly or against their will. Example: "I had been caught up in the drama of the situation before I even realized what was happening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've been caught up in this myself".

The Guardian - Travel

Because they have been caught up in the celebrity industry.

The Economist

"Michael's been caught up in this witch-hunt".

Independent

But American officials have still been caught up in violence.

The New York Times

He has never been caught up in a plagiarism scandal.

The New York Times

Public officials have frequently been caught up in the violence.

The New York Times

Workers have also been caught up in the change.

The New York Times

Others appear to have been caught up in broader trends.

The New York Times

Children have increasingly been caught up in the war.

The Guardian

Journalists have also allegedly been caught up in organised crime.

The Guardian

They have no idea that they have been caught up in a peer-dependent privacy breach.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been caught up", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. For unintentional or accidental involvement, consider alternatives like "found oneself in". For more negative or difficult involvement, use "become embroiled in".

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice when using "been caught up". Ensure the subject is clear and active where possible to enhance clarity and impact. For example, instead of "Mistakes have been caught up in the process", consider "The process has caught up to the mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been caught up" functions as part of a verb phrase in the passive voice, often indicating that a subject has become involved in a situation, activity, or event, sometimes unintentionally. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been caught up" is a very common phrase used to describe someone's involvement, often unintentional, in a situation or event. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its prevalent use across various contexts, especially in news and media. When using the phrase, consider the nuance you wish to convey and avoid overuse of the passive voice. Alternatives like "gotten entangled in" or "become involved in" can provide subtly different meanings. It's generally grammatically sound and appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become involved in

A more neutral and general way of expressing participation.

gotten entangled in

Emphasizes a more complex or difficult involvement.

become embroiled in

Suggests a deeply negative and complicated involvement.

embroiled in

Signifies a difficult or contentious situation.

found oneself in

Indicates an unexpected or accidental entry into a situation.

swept up in

Implies being overwhelmed or strongly influenced by something.

mixed up in

Suggests involvement in something potentially illicit or confusing.

enmeshed in

Indicates being deeply and intricately involved.

implicated in

Suggests involvement in something negative or illegal.

roped into

Informal way of saying someone was persuaded or tricked into involvement.

FAQs

How can I use "been caught up" in a sentence?

You can use "been caught up" to describe someone or something that has become involved in a situation, often unexpectedly. For example, "She had "been caught up" in the scandal without realizing it".

What's the difference between "been caught up" and "gotten involved"?

"Been caught up" often implies a more passive or unintentional involvement, while "gotten involved" suggests a more active or deliberate participation. The choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I've been caught up by" instead of "I've been caught up in"?

While "been caught up" can sometimes be followed by "by", it's generally more common and natural to use "in" when describing involvement in a situation or activity. For example, "I've "been caught up in" work" is more typical than "I've been caught up by work".

What are some alternatives to "been caught up" that imply a negative situation?

Alternatives that suggest a negative or difficult situation include "become embroiled in", "mixed up in", or "implicated in". These alternatives convey a sense of being trapped or negatively affected.