catch a sight of

USAGE SUMMARY

"catch a sight of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe seeing something quickly or only briefly. For example: "She couldn't help but catch a sight of the beautiful scenery before them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Frontiersmen climbed up on the damask furniture to catch a sight of Jackson.

The New Yorker

British-based onlookers who hope to catch a sight of the flurry may need to be looking skywards in the early hours through to about 5am and possibly away from large towns and cities, according to the RAS.

The Guardian

An hour before sunrise on Monday morning, November 18, catch a sight of the elusive planet Mercury, with brightening Comets ISON and Lovejoy as a bonus.

Huffington Post

Gathering all of the formulations above, we catch a sight of many milestones established in the development of neurogenesis as well as obstacles being unfathomed.

BioMed Research International

When you first catch a sight of the bug, there must be more in the book.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If you catch a sighting of the two, drop us a note at [email protected].

TechCrunch

Run 447 steps downwards, where you'll catch the sight of a Full Moon Island intact.

WikiHow

There were catcalls and booing and cheering, and in a scuffle one could catch sight of a yelling demonstrator being dragged off by the police.

The Guardian

RECENTLY, at a lunch for a group of women friends in Rome, an Italian caught sight of a holy card in an American companion's purse.

The New York Times

Then, in a shady spot beneath some trees, I catch sight of a movement.

The Guardian - Travel

As I round the bush, a dry twig snaps loudly beneath my foot and I catch sight of a blur of powerful movement.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catch a sight of" when you want to emphasize the brief or unexpected nature of seeing something. For example, "I managed to catch a sight of the comet before it disappeared."

Common error

Avoid using "catch a sight of" too frequently in your writing; it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "glimpse", "spot", or "notice" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a sight of" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of briefly or unexpectedly seeing something. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. For example, in one of the examples, it describes catching a sight of the planet Mercury.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch a sight of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe briefly or unexpectedly seeing something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While less common than similar phrases like "catch sight of", it is appropriate in various contexts. Its usage is generally neutral, appearing in news, wiki and science-related content. Consider using synonyms such as "glimpse" or "spot" to diversify your writing. Use the phrase when you want to emphasize the fleeting nature of a visual experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch sight of

More common and direct way of saying "catch a sight of".

get a glimpse of

Similar in meaning, emphasizing the fleeting nature of the view.

catch a glimpse

Similar in meaning, emphasizing the fleeting nature of the view.

glimpse

Shorter, more concise way to say "catch a sight of", implying a very brief view.

spot

Suggests noticing something, often after actively looking.

notice

Implies awareness of something, not necessarily visual.

make out

Implies difficulty in seeing clearly.

observe

More formal and implies a deliberate act of watching.

see briefly

Simple and straightforward way to express the same idea.

perceive

Suggests a mental understanding or interpretation in addition to seeing.

FAQs

What does "catch a sight of" mean?

To "catch a sight of" something means to see it briefly or unexpectedly.

What's the difference between "catch sight of" and "catch a sight of"?

"Catch sight of" is a more common and widely accepted variant, while "catch a sight of" is less frequent but still grammatically correct.

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

You can use it like this: "I hoped to "catch sight of" the rare bird during my hike."

Are there any synonyms for "catch a sight of"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "glimpse", "spot", or "notice" as alternatives.