catch sight of

USAGE SUMMARY

"catch sight of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "to see something quickly or from a distance". For example: "I caught sight of the owl just as it flew away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"So we're trying to catch sight of him".

The New York Times - Magazine

Paddlers might catch sight of a blue heron floating overhead.

The New York Times

Visitors outside the building invariably catch sight of me.

The New York Times

The other night, in the Flatiron district, I happened to catch sight of Anthony Weiner.

The New Yorker

Amos wanted to catch sight of the sun setting, and it was now at our backs.

The New Yorker

We are even surprised when we catch sight of ourselves sometimes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

She caught sight of Morgan Freeman.

The New Yorker

The prison priest caught sight of them.

The Guardian

But they never caught sight of Quinn.

The New Yorker

She catches sight of a figure on the shore.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sometime after 11, I caught sight of him again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider context and choose a synonym if a more formal or informal tone is needed. "Spot" is more casual, while "observe" is more formal.

Common error

Avoid using "catch sight of" to describe continuous or prolonged viewing. Use phrases like "observe" or "watch" instead if the action is not fleeting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch sight of" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of briefly or unexpectedly seeing something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch sight of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of briefly or unexpectedly seeing something. Ludwig AI confirms this, and it's widely found in neutral contexts like news and media. While synonyms such as "spot" or "observe" can be used, "catch sight of" is best suited for fleeting visual encounters. Remember, the most common error is using it to describe prolonged viewing. So, for that quick glimpse, "catch sight of" is the perfect phrase!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch a glimpse of

Slight variation on the original, emphasizes speed.

get a glimpse of

Emphasizes the briefness of the viewing.

glimpse

Single word, slightly more concise and direct.

spot

More informal, suggests a quicker or more casual observation.

notice

Implies awareness, can be more general than visual.

observe

More formal, implies careful or studied watching.

make out

Suggests difficulty in seeing clearly.

perceive

Implies understanding or interpretation of what is seen.

lay eyes on

More dramatic or emphatic way of saying 'see'.

descry

Archaic and literary, suggesting seeing something at a distance or with difficulty.

FAQs

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

Use "catch sight of" to describe briefly seeing someone or something. For example, "I "caught sight of" her in the crowd".

What's a more casual way to say "catch sight of"?

A more casual alternative to "catch sight of" is "spot". For example, instead of "I caught sight of him", you could say "I spotted him".

Is it correct to say "catch sight to" instead of "catch sight of"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "catch sight of". Using "to" instead of "of" is grammatically incorrect.

When is it appropriate to use "observe" instead of "catch sight of"?

Use "observe" when you're describing a deliberate and sustained act of watching. "Catch sight of" implies a brief or accidental sighting.