catch the bus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'catch the bus' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person taking the bus as their means of transportation. For example: "I need to catch the bus if I want to get to work on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"To catch the bus".

The New York Times

And then catch the bus downtown.

The New Yorker

They got up in time to catch the bus.

The New Yorker

You have to go to Duluth to catch the bus.

The New York Times

Let's catch the bus back to the hotel".

The New Yorker

Susso wasn't ready to catch the bus that night.

The Washington Post

Forgetting where to catch the bus I ride every day?

The New York Times - Health

"So you may as well catch the bus home".

The New Yorker

They catch the bus to and from work," said one provider.

The New York Times

Later, he learned that her mother had woken up too late to catch the bus.

The New York Times

My writing completed, I had to catch the bus back to Penrith.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catch the bus" when emphasizing the action of successfully meeting the bus on time, especially when there might be a risk of missing it. This usage often implies a sense of urgency or effort.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions such as "catch on bus" or "catch in bus". The correct preposition is "the", as in "catch the bus".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch the bus" primarily functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it describes the action of successfully boarding a bus, often implying a sense of urgency or timeliness. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in everyday contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

18%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch the bus" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of successfully boarding a bus. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It is most frequently found in news media and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure correct preposition usage and consider alternative phrases like "take the bus" or "board the bus" for stylistic variation. Remember that it often conveys a sense of urgency or routine. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively incorporate "catch the bus" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take the bus

Replaces "catch" with "take" to indicate using the bus as transportation.

get the bus

Uses a different verb to express the action of boarding the bus.

get on the bus

Focuses on the action of entering the bus.

board the bus

More formal way of saying to get on the bus.

make the bus

Implies successfully arriving in time to board the bus.

hop on the bus

Informal way to say to get on the bus.

manage to get the bus

Implies effort or difficulty in boarding the bus.

reach the bus

Highlights the act of arriving at the bus stop.

be on time for the bus

Stresses punctuality in relation to the bus schedule.

avail the bus

A slightly more formal alternative suggesting utilizing the bus service.

FAQs

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

You can use "catch the bus" to describe the act of getting on the bus. For example, "I need to "catch the bus" to get to work on time."

What is a more formal way to say "catch the bus"?

A more formal alternative to "catch the bus" is "board the bus". This phrase is often used in announcements or formal writing.

What can I say instead of "catch the bus" if I miss it?

If you miss the bus, you could say "I missed the bus", or "I'll have to "wait for the next bus"".

Is it correct to say "catch a bus" instead of "catch the bus"?

While "catch a bus" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""catch the bus"" is more common when referring to a specific bus route or a regular commute. "Catch a bus" might be used when the specific bus is not predetermined.