catch it from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch it from" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to understand something by hearing it from someone else. For example: "I caught it from my friend; apparently there's a new restaurant opening in town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

We could catch it from there".

The New York Times

He can catch it from anywhere.

The New York Times - Sports

"He did not catch it from me," explained Lincoln.

The New York Times

For those who don't, you can catch it from a sneeze.

The New York Times - Health

"In Hollywood, once you had bad luck, people acted as if they could catch it from you.

The New Yorker

For a start, the strains differ according to country, and no, you can't catch it from other people.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

— ANDREW DAS And Dortmund has caught it from Madrid.

The New York Times

She caught it from her elder brother Christian last term.

The Guardian

"It was hard to see if he caught it from our viewpoint," Girardi said.

The New York Times - Sports

People who fall ill have nearly always caught it from poultry.

The New York Times - Science

Nearly all have caught it from birds, and most cases have been in Asia.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the transmission of diseases or behaviors, use "catch it from" to clearly indicate the source of transmission. For example: "You can catch the flu from someone who is already infected."

Common error

Avoid using "catch it from" when you mean to say you learned something from someone. "Catch it from" implies transmission, often of something undesirable like a disease, while "learn it from" refers to acquiring knowledge or skills.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch it from" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the source from which something is acquired, often implying transmission. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch it from" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe acquiring something, often a disease or negative attribute, from a specific source. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates the origin of whatever "it" refers to. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its use is generally considered neutral in tone. While interchangeable with phrases like ""get it from"", "acquire it from", or "contract it from", it's important to distinguish it from phrases like "learn it from", which implies acquiring knowledge rather than something undesirable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get it from

A common and versatile phrase for acquiring something.

contract it from

Specifically used in the context of diseases or illnesses.

pick it up from

Implies learning or acquiring something, often unintentionally or casually.

acquire it from

Emphasizes the act of gaining or obtaining something, often implying effort or a process.

obtain it from

Suggests a more formal or deliberate process of getting something.

receive it from

A general term for getting something from a source.

derive it from

Indicates obtaining something as a result or consequence of something else.

glean it from

Suggests gathering information piece by piece from various sources.

inherit it from

Specifically used when acquiring something genetically or by legacy.

secure it from

Emphasizes the effort to protect or ensure access.

FAQs

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

Use "catch it from" to describe acquiring something, often a disease or a bad habit, from someone or something else. For example, "I might "catch it from" you if you don't cover your mouth when you cough."

What's the difference between "catch it from" and "get it from"?

"Catch it from" often implies acquiring something undesirable, like a disease, while "get it from" is more general and can refer to acquiring anything. For instance, you might "get it from" a store, but you "catch it from" another person.

Which is correct, "catch it from" or "caught it from"?

Both are correct, depending on the tense of the sentence. Use "catch it from" for present or future tense, and "caught it from" for past tense. For example, "I hope I don't "catch it from" you," versus "I "caught it from" him last week."

What can I say instead of "catch it from"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "acquire it from", "contract it from", or "pick it up from".