catch up with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch up with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about catching up with someone, either physically, to talk in person, or to reach the same level as them in a particular activity or task. Example sentence: I need to catch up with my friends over the weekend to find out what exciting things they've been up to lately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We catch up with Fatmeh later.

Unicef

Catch up with classmates.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Let administration catch up with legislation".

The Economist

They catch up with each other.

The New York Times - Food

I'll catch up with you later".

Independent

You catch up with your life.

The New York Times - Arts

You can never catch up with them".

Independent

To catch up with what?

The Guardian - Arts

Catch up with my family.

The New York Times

We could not catch up with it.

The Guardian - Books

But they couldn't catch up with Betsy.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "catch up with" to refer to tasks or responsibilities, be specific about what needs to be caught up on to provide clarity and direction. For example, instead of saying "I need to catch up with work", say "I need to catch up with the pending reports and emails".

Common error

Avoid using "catch up with" when you actually mean "keep up with". "Catch up with" implies a need to recover lost ground, while "keep up with" means maintaining pace with ongoing progress. For example, you catch up with the news after being away, but you keep up with trends as they evolve.

How to use

Learn how to use "catch up with" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch up with" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, often acting as a transitive verb when followed by an object. It suggests an action of reaching someone or something, or becoming current. This is consistent with Ludwig's assessment of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

20%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Science

8%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "catch up with" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb, as also validated by Ludwig, that indicates the action of reaching someone or something, or becoming current. It is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from informal conversations to professional discussions. When writing, it's important to distinguish it from "keep up with" and to be specific about what needs to be caught up on. Top authoritative sources include The Guardian, The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reconnect with

Focuses on renewing a relationship or communication after a period of separation.

meet up with

Emphasizes arranging a meeting, typically for social purposes.

get together with

Suggests a casual meeting or social gathering.

reach the same level as

Highlights the aspect of attaining equality in skill, knowledge, or progress.

get up to speed with

Specifically refers to becoming informed or knowledgeable about recent developments.

become current with

Implies updating oneself to the latest information or standards.

draw level with

Focuses on leveling with another person or entity.

make contact with

Highlights the act of establishing communication with someone.

get in touch with

Suggests initiating communication, often after a period of absence.

approximate

Suggests a different nuance in meaning related to the QUERY, focusing on reaching a similar value, standard or level.

FAQs

What does "catch up with" mean?

The phrase "catch up with" generally means to reach someone or something that is ahead, or to become up-to-date with something. It can also refer to meeting someone after a period of separation.

How can I use "catch up with" in a sentence?

You can use "catch up with" in various contexts, such as: "I need to "get up to speed with" the latest project developments", or "Let's "meet up with" each other sometime to catch up on life".

What are some alternatives to "catch up with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reconnect with", "get together with", "reach the same level as", or ""get up to speed with"".

Is it correct to say "caught up with" instead of "catch up with"?

Yes, "caught up with" is the past tense of "catch up with". For example, "I "got in touch with" my friend yesterday and caught up with her news".