catch the virus

USAGE SUMMARY

"catch the virus" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase in a variety of contexts, including when discussing illness, computer viruses, or anything that is contagious. For example: "People should take caution to not catch the virus that has been circulating around town".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Nearly all children everywhere catch the virus by age 5, and most cases are mild.

The New York Times - Science

However, unvaccinated children can catch the virus when immunised children excrete it.

Independent

Scientists think people catch the virus from poultry, not from other humans.

The New York Times - Health

"If we could catch the virus before it had a chance to make these mutations you could abort an epidemic".

The New York Times

Although 80percentnt of people who catch the virus show no symptoms, it can cause a high fever among the 20 per cent who are susceptible.

The Guardian

"We were both on lockdown," said Ms. Nealon, explaining that their parents had feared they would catch the virus from friends or classmates.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Humans catch the viruses from exposure to the blood and secretions of sick animals.

The New York Times

That means they caught the virus locally.

The New York Times - Health

It was not long after that Pooley caught the virus.

The Guardian

They probably caught the virus from infected people, researchers said.

The New York Times

Criticism also of the protective shortcomings in Texas, where staff also caught the virus.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about public health, specify the exact virus if known (e.g., "catch the flu virus") for clarity and to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "catch the virus" when you mean to describe how the virus spreads; instead, reserve "catch the virus" to describe the act of an individual becoming infected, and use other phrases like "spread the virus" or "transmit the virus" when explaining transmission mechanics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch the virus" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of becoming infected with a virus. Examples from Ludwig show it used to discuss disease transmission and prevention, mirroring Ludwig AI's grammatical assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch the virus" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe becoming infected with a virus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is broadly applicable across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase serves to inform and warn about infection risks. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "contract the virus" or "become infected with the virus" may be more suitable. Remember to reserve "catch the virus" for the act of becoming infected, and use other phrases when describing virus transmission.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contract the virus

Replaces "catch" with "contract", emphasizing the process of acquiring an illness.

become infected with the virus

More formal way of saying "catch the virus", highlighting the state of being infected.

get the virus

A simpler and more casual alternative to "catch the virus".

acquire the virus

Similar to "contract", indicating the act of gaining the virus.

pick up the virus

Suggests a casual or accidental acquisition of the virus.

be infected by the virus

Passive construction emphasizing the virus as the agent of infection.

be exposed to the virus

Focuses on the exposure aspect, implying a risk of infection.

succumb to the virus

Implies a failure to resist the virus, leading to infection.

develop a viral infection

Focuses on the outcome of catching the virus: developing an infection.

fall ill with the virus

Highlights the resulting illness from contracting the virus.

FAQs

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

You can use "catch the virus" to describe someone becoming infected, as in "People should take precautions to avoid catching the virus during flu season."

What's a more formal alternative to "catch the virus"?

Alternatives like "contract the virus" or "become infected with the virus" offer a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "fish the virus" instead of "catch the virus"?

No, "fish the virus" is not a standard expression. The correct phrase is "catch the virus", which describes the act of becoming infected.

What's the difference between "catch the virus" and "spread the virus"?

"Catch the virus" refers to becoming infected, while "spread the virus" describes the act of transmitting the virus to others.