catch a sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch a sentence" is not commonly used in written English and may not be clear in meaning.
It could be used in contexts where one is trying to understand or grasp the meaning of a sentence, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "During the lecture, I struggled to catch a sentence that explained the main concept."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You normally catch a sentence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Moberly believes that even if people only catch a couple of sentences these will have resonance with their lives.

The Guardian - Arts

The captain is just one of many compactly realized minor characters, caught in a sentence or two.

The New Yorker

He had his theme, caught by a sentence in his first dispatch from the square: "They seized control of their lives".

The New York Times

Don't catch him mid sentence with a bunch of friends at lunch.

WikiHow

If you catch yourself wanting to start a sentence with the words "at least," -- "at least you got to say goodbye," "at least you had 10 good years together," etc -- pause and redirect.

Huffington Post

It also is not likely to catch any missing words in a sentence that you inadvertently failed to include.

WikiHow

After six months he was caught, and sentenced to a 3-year term in jail.

The New Yorker

The British government is appealing to its close ally Saudi Arabia for the release of an elderly man facing 350 lashes after being caught there with homemade wine — a sentence which his family said could kill him.

Vice

The Daily Mail is absolutely right (not a sentence you will catch me typing on a regular basis) to splash on "Britain's first secret trial".

The Guardian - Opinion

A few have been caught and sentenced.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "catch a sentence", ensure the context clarifies whether you mean 'understand', 'hear', or 'notice' the sentence, as the phrase is not always immediately clear.

Common error

Avoid using "catch a sentence" when a more precise verb like "understand", "hear", or "notice" would prevent ambiguity. Clear communication is key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a sentence" functions as a verb phrase where 'catch' acts as a transitive verb, and 'a sentence' is the direct object. It denotes the action of understanding, hearing, or recording a sentence. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this isn't a standard expression and can be ambiguous.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "catch a sentence" is not a standard expression and may cause ambiguity. Ludwig AI suggests that it generally means to understand, hear, or notice a sentence, often partially. It's more common in News & Media and Wiki contexts, with authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times using it occasionally. When writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "grasp a sentence" or "understand a sentence" to ensure clarity. Although usage of the phrase is not technically incorrect, being precise ensures the message is well received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grasp a sentence

Replaces "catch" with "grasp", emphasizing comprehension.

understand a sentence

Substitutes "catch" with "understand", focusing on cognitive understanding.

hear a sentence

Replaces "catch" with "hear", emphasizing the act of perceiving the sentence audibly.

note a sentence

Replaces "catch" with "note", focusing on recording or making a mental note of the sentence.

record a sentence

Substitutes "catch" with "record", highlighting the act of capturing the sentence in a written form.

overhear a sentence

Replaces "catch" with "overhear", emphasizing the act of unintentionally hearing the sentence.

pick up a sentence

Substitutes "catch" with "pick up", suggesting gathering bits of information to form a sentence.

get a sentence

Replaces "catch" with "get", which implies receiving or understanding a sentence.

capture a sentence

Replaces "catch" with "capture", highlighting the act of seizing or recording the sentence.

detect a sentence

Substitutes "catch" with "detect", focusing on identifying the sentence.

FAQs

What does "catch a sentence" mean?

The phrase "catch a sentence" is not a standard English expression. It generally means to understand, hear, or notice a particular sentence, often partially or fleetingly.

What can I say instead of "catch a sentence"?

You can use alternatives like "grasp a sentence", "understand a sentence", or "hear a sentence" depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Is "catch a sentence" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "catch a sentence" is less common and might sound unusual to some. It's better to use more precise and widely accepted alternatives for clarity.

How can I use "catch a sentence" in a sentence?

You can use "catch a sentence" to describe a situation where you partially hear or understand something said. For example: "I was walking by and managed to catch a sentence of their conversation".